Eight Years Later –

Ginny woke slowly, hearing muffled laughter and whispering. "Is she awake? Artie, go check."

Ginny smiled and kept her eyes shut as she felt her youngest child climb on to the bed. Small hands palmed her cheeks. "Mama, you 'wake?" he whispered loudly, his face millimetres from hers.

She grabbed him quickly and hugged him tight, making him cry out in glee. "Mama, Mama, stop," he cried, as she tickled him.

It was the signal for her other two children to join her in bed. "Happy Birthday, Mama," said her daughter, Lily. Ginny stopped tickling Arthur long enough to share a kiss with her five year old.

"Mum, we've been helping Dad make you a special breakfast," said her eldest, James. "Hurry up."

Ginny sighed happily and, with a kiss again to her youngest, she got out of bed. Harry had actually woken her earlier, to wish her a happy birthday in his own special way. Then she'd started to fall asleep again, so he'd whispered, "Go back to dreamland, Sleeping Beauty," and she had done so till now.

She pulled on her robe and belted it. James hovered anxiously, taking his responsibilities to bring her to the kitchen very seriously. Since he'd turned seven, he'd begun trailing Harry, eager to learn all he could about being the next Lord of Stinchcombe. Harry indulged him, taking James with him to meet the townspeople, to listen to their wants and needs and to explain how they could help them.

James offered Ginny his hand, and the younger children followed. Lily helped Arthur, and they all greeted Asim, who lay outstretched along the stairway railings. None of the children were afraid of the snake and all had the gift of Parseltongue.

"Happy Birthday, Missssstrressss, good morning, children, " hissed Asim.

"Hi, Assssim," hissed James, Lily and Artie.

"Thank you, Asssssim," nodded Ginny. "You have sssssomewhere to be today?"

"I shall sssleep in the masssster'ssss workshop while the party isssss on," hissed the old snake.

"Good. We'll let everyone know it'ssssss out of boundsssss," said Ginny, nodding. "Although I'm sure Hanssssel will sssneak up to pay a visssssit to hissss old friend."

"He will be welcome, misssstresss," affirmed the snake. Hansel always visited Asim when he was home from Hogwarts on holidays. This was his and Gretel's last year, and he was Head Boy.

Ginny and the children continued to the kitchen, where she found her husband with a frilly apron tied around his waist. "Oh, I like this," she teased, her arms around his waist.

Harry turned, taking her in his arms, his eyes full of love. "Happy Birthday, my love," he said tenderly, before kissing her.

"Morning, Mistress Ginny. Happy day of birth," chortled Dobby, interrupting them unapologetically.

Harry and Ginny reluctantly separated, their eyes promising the other that it would be continued at a later time. They joined their children at the table, as Dobby served them a special breakfast in honour of the day.

"Mama, when are Gran Molly and Grandpa Arthur arriving?" asked Lily.

" Is Gran bringin' presents?" asked Artie, perking up.

"It's your mum's birthday, not yours," reminded Harry. Artie frowned, but his dad quickly added, "but when did your grandparents not bring presents for you all?"

Artie, Lily and James exchanged cheerful grins. "Dad, can I go with Uncle Sirius to greet all the guests coming in today for the party?" asked James, sipping his pumpkin juice.

"That would be very grown up of you, James, thank you. Our friends and family will be very chuffed to be greeted by both the mayor and the next Lord of Stinchcombe as they arrive," nodded Harry.

James looked quite proud. He liked hanging out with Uncle Sirius, who became the town mayor after Mayor Cogsworth ran off to the mainland with Drizella, causing quite the scandal. Sirius had later married Anastasia and they lived close to the town centre.

"Me too, me too," cried Arthur, jumping up and down. "Wanna go to town, and show Grampa Arthur the sword in the stone." He picked up his last slice of toast and ate it.

"We'll see, love. Dobby, can we make sure we have fresh flowers in the all the bedrooms, please?" asked Ginny. "How are the preparations coming along?"

"All under control, Mistress. The first guests are expected within the next two hours. Mister George and his family," informed Dobby. George was arriving early to set up the fireworks for later that night.

"It'll be nice to have the family visit for awhile, won't it?" asked Ginny. She, Harry and the children usually visited London for Mother's Day, Father's day and Christmas, staying for a week or so, buying new clothes for the children, and other knick knacks they might need. They often caught up with Neville and his wife Hannah, and Luna and Rolf if they were in town. Ginny smiled to think that Ursula had indeed been right, Rolf was playing a part in her future. Married to Luna, and the parents of twin boys, they had made a base on Stinchcombe Island, before setting off on their travels again.

"Mama, can I show Lucy my school bag, please?" begged Lily. "We both have pink ones." She finished her muesli and pushed her bowl aside. Dobby promptly summoned it to the sink.

"I can't believe my little girl is big enough to start school in September," said Ginny, dropping a kiss on Lily's head. "Of course you can show Lucy, sweetie."

"I'm gonna be the smartest one in the class, cos Uncle Remus has already teached me lots," boasted Lily.

"Wait till you get Miss Peregrine. She makes you write lots of essays," sighed James.

"I like to write," said Lily, confidently.

"I like to draw," said Artie, climbing onto his dad's lap. His dad hugged him tight and whispered in his ear, making him giggle. The two shared a cuddle.

"We should all go and get ready, our guests will begin arriving soon," said Ginny, seeing they had all finished their breakfasts. "But before you go, Daddy and I have a surprise for you."

"We wanted you to be the first ones to know," smiled Harry, looking around at the children.

"In the new year, around February or March, you'll have a new brother or sister," said Ginny.

"I want a sister," said Lily. "Please," she tacked on. Artie nodded too.

"I want another brother," said James. Artie nodded again.

"Well, we'll have to wait and see," said Harry, putting Artie down and ushering them upstairs to dress. Ginny stood and he took her in his arms. "That went well. How long do you think they can keep a secret?" He put his hand on her belly.

"Does it matter? We agreed to tell them this morning before my mother arrived. You know she'll know as soon as she sees me, and I wanted the children to know first," said Ginny, covering his hand with hers.

"Dad, can I wear my Stinchcombe jacket Grandma made for me, pleeeeeeeeese?" yelled James, from up the stairs.

"Yes," called Harry. To Ginny he said, "He's really taken to this Lord of Stinchcombe title, hasn't he?"

"And my hat?" yelled James.

"That he has. Although I have noticed Artie feels a bit left out lately when the two of you go off," said Ginny.

"Daaaaaaaad?" called James, again.

"Yes, fine," answered Harry. He looked back at Ginny. "How about I take Artie to town to meet everyone too. He seems quite taken with that stone, so we'll visit there with your parents, okay? I'll leave my two girls here, to get all pretty for the party." He took her in his arms and kissed her.

"Muuuuuuu-uuum? I can't find my jacket," called James.

Harry and Ginny broke apart and smiled. Keeping ahold of each other's hands, they walked upstairs to their children.

"Or my hat!"

/*/*/*/*

It was yet another magnificent celebration. The grounds were magnificent, with guests and townspeople enjoying the wonderful sunshine. Harry and Ginny were able to mingle and greet their guests without needing to keep an eye on the children, as Bill and George had taken all of the younger ones down to the beach.

Ron, Gene and Arthur were watching the older children fly around the grounds on a magic carpet. "I still say they should be legal in England," said Arthur.

Molly was enjoying talking with Matthew's mother, Lorraine, and Doc. Remus and Sirius just joined the party, after a visit with James and Lily. Tonks greeted her husband with a plate of food, and Anastasia greeted her husband with a kiss. The old law enforcer, Auror Woody had been caught red handed by the Gringotts goblins, letting two Niffler's into the bank.

Ginny was chatting with Neville and Hannah when she spotted a new arrival. "Excuse me, " she told them, grabbing Harry's arm and gesturing. Together, they made their way over.

"Headmistress MacGonagall, thank you so much for coming, and so quickly. We don't know what to think," said Ginny, ushering her former head of house inside.

"So you said he simply pulled the sword out of the stone?" asked Minerva as the three went inside and found a quiet corner to talk.

"Yes, he's been quite taken with it, always wanting to see it when we go to town. He wanted to show it to Molly and Arthur when they arrived, so we took them there. I nearly fell over when he ran up to it and simply pulled the sword out," said Harry, still surprised.

He handed the sword to Minerva. She looked it over carefully, even running her wand over to verify. "It's definitely the Sword of Gryffindor. It's been missing ever since the final battle. Amazing," she said.

"But what does this mean for our Arthur?" asked Ginny, as she took the sword back from Minerva.

"Mine," cried Artie, running inside to his mother's side. " It's mine," he insisted, "I pulled it out and it's mine."

"Only Dumbledore knew the history of the sword, but it is definitely the Sword of Gryffindor. As for your son, I think it means we can expect great things from him," said Minerva.

"I'm gonna be a great wizard like Daddy," agreed Artie.

Harry picked him up and Ginny came to their side. "Thank you again, Minerva. Won't you stay, enjoy the festivities? You've come all this way," said Ginny.

"Thank you, I will. Perhaps I'll talk with Remus, ask him to keep an eye on young Arthur Potter. He may need special tutelage as he gets older," nodded Minerva. "Perhaps, even later, lessons in sword play. I know a young man, Edmund Pevensie, an excellent swordsman. He'd be a good tutor for your young Arthur," she said, wandering off to find Remus.

"I keep the sword?" asked Artie, looking at his mother and father.

"I guess, for today. It will have to return to Hogwarts with the headmistress, I'm afraid. But from what I remember, the sword will always be available to a Gryffindor in need," said Ginny. Harry put his youngest son down and took the sword from Ginny.

"Am I a Gryffdor?" asked Artie. He watched as his father sheathed the sword in it's scabbard that Minerva had brought with her. He then slung it over his shoulder.

"Possibly, in the future, but not today, my darling. Today is party day," said Ginny, taking his hand, and the three re-joined the party. Still, she thought it highly likely in eight years time that Arthur Evans Potter would indeed be sorted into Gryffindor.

The grounds had never looked better. Every celebration at the castle only reinforced the love and goodness all over the island. Families had returned, with Harry's generous offer of a year without paying taxes and all the help they needed, to re-establish their businesses. Crops were plentiful, making the small island bountiful. It was a happy cycle. The better the crops, the more prosperous the town was, the happier the townspeople were.

Later, as the party wound down, Ginny farewelled her guests. She left hers and Harry's family downstairs, and ducked upstairs to say goodnight to the children.

She found her sisters-in-law tucking their children in, and offered them sweet dreams with fun times to be had the next day. Then she went to find her own family.

Arthur was already asleep. To Ginny's consternation, the Sword of Gryffindor was mounted over his bed. Ginny had seen Minerva leave with it, so she didn't know how, when or why it returned. Never in hers and Harry's wildest dreams would they imagine their second son would grow up to become one of the greatest, most powerful wizards of all time.

"I'll watch over him tonight," said Lily softly, from a frame by the bed. "James is watching over the elder two."

"Thank you," said Ginny, gratefully. She smoothed the messy hair away from Arthur's forehead, and kissed him lightly. "Sweet dreams, my love," she whispered.

Next she went to her firstborn's room. He'd fallen asleep in his jacket. "Going to make a fine Lord of Stinchcombe, this one," smiled James proudly. He and Fleamont were watching over James.

"Well, he's got three great men to learn from, two former Lord's and the current one," reminded Ginny.

Fleamont nodded proudly. "Still, never saw my James or Harry take to the role like young James has. He'll do our island proud when it's his time."

Ginny removed James' hat. "Goodnight, my darling," she whispered, putting a light kiss on his cheek.

James mumbled and rolled over. Ginny tucked the covers around him and left his room, after nodding to Fleamont and James.

She was heading to her daughter's room, when she heard Harry's voice. He was reading his daughter a fairy tale. As much as he enjoyed his duties as Lord of Stinchcombe, and helping the townspeople as much as he could, nothing made him happier than being with his children. Only with them and her, did he know true happiness. She lingered in the doorway, listening.

"Daddy, why did the evil witch cast a mean spell on the hero? Why did she make him lose his family and everybody he cares about?" asked Lily. She loved the story about the island being covered by fog, until a beautiful witch visited, fell in love with the hero and broke the curse. Matthew and Heston seemed to be embellish it every time they told her the tale.

"Because the evil witch never had anybody she loved. She let the darkness into her heart and then she wanted to make everyone as unhappy as she was," said Harry gently, stroking her coppery hair, so much like Ginny's. His Lily Luna also had her mother's brown eyes.

"That's sad," said Lily, thinking. "So we should all love everybody, and help them and be nice?"

"Yes," nodded Harry.

"Even when James is being really annoying?" sighed Lily.

"Yes," chuckled Harry, "especially then."

"Daddy, if someone gave her true love's kiss, would she become a nice witch?" asked Lily.

"Maybe," shrugged Harry, "but we'll never know."

"I think she would," decided Lily. "True love's kiss is the most important kiss in the whole world."

"Do you know what else is important?" asked Ginny, deciding to join her husband and daughter.

"What?" asked Lily, expectantly.

"A good night's sleep. We have a big day planned, taking all your cousins for a hike around the island," reminded Ginny.

"Your Mum's right. We'll be leaving right after breakfast," said Harry, tucking her in.

Lily yawned. "It was a nice party. Lucy really liked my school bag," she said sleepily.

Harry and Ginny kissed her softly and tucked her in. "Daddy?"

"Yes, sweetheart?" asked Harry.

"P'raps me 'n you could make a potion to make people be nice to everybody," she said sleepily. Lily liked to watch Harry in his workshop and he'd started to let her help him.

"That's a wonderful idea, love. We'll talk about it more tomorrow. For now, sweet dreams, princess," said Harry softly. He caught his grandmother's eye from her frame and nodded, knowing his daughter was being watched over.

He joined Ginny in the hall and the two embraced. "It's been quite a day," he said to her, taking her in his arms.

Ginny relaxed in his embrace. "Harry...Arthur, the sword? Why would it return to him? We saw Minerva take it when she left. What could he possibly need it for?" she asked worriedly.

He kissed her forehead. "We'll worry about it tomorrow. For now, we still have guests downstairs."

Ginny snorted. "They're not guests, they're my family."

He chuckled, now quite used to the rambunctious Weasleys. "You know your mum is dying to ask you about this one," he murmured, running his hands over the slight swell of her tummy.

"Let's see, we've already got the next Lord of Stinchcombe, a future potioneer, and a wizard that has the Sword of Gryffindor. What could this one possibly be?" pondered Ginny, placing her hand over Harry's.

"Like all our children, a blessing," said Harry.

"A blessing," agreed Ginny, as she brought Harry's face down to hers so she could kiss him.

"Ahem," interrupted Fleamont. "There are guests waiting for you downstairs," he reminded them, albeit with a twinkle in his eye. He left his frame to go back to talk with James as they watched over younger James.

Harry and Ginny reluctantly pulled away from each other. "Half an hour, and I'll start yawning. Mum will have me packed up and off to bed in no time," she said to Harry, as they went to rejoin their guests. "She'll suggest we all head to bed, as we have an early start in the morning."

"Let's hope so," said Harry huskily. He stopped on the landing and pulled her close. "Then we can celebrate your birthday in our own special way, like we did this morning."

As predicted, Molly did monopolise the talk on her future grandchild. Ginny's sisters-in-law, having congratulated her and Harry, sat back contentedly. Harry's brothers-in-law ushered him to the salon, to toast him with Firewhiskey and to enquire about the state of the island they had all come to look forward to visiting. It had become a home away from home for all of them.

Soon enough, Ginny began yawning. Molly quickly summoned Harry to take Ginny upstairs to bed straight away, also ushering her other children and their spouses. Ensuring Dobby was able to handle the last of the clean up, she and Arthur were the last to head up to their rooms.

Harry and Ginny did not hesitate to take advantage over their early to bed ruling. After celebrating Ginny's birthday, Harry lay contentedly, stroking her belly. "I think it's a girl," he finally said.

Ginny, sated and sleepy, tiredly agreed. "I was thinking...Merida."

"Merida...Merida Potter," said Harry, rolling it over his tongue.

"I considered Minerva," said Ginny, trying to stifle a yawn, "but I liked Merida better. It's a good strong name."

"Well, she'll need to be strong to keep up with out lot," chuckled Harry, proudly. He lifted his head to kiss Ginny lightly. "Go to sleep, love."

"Mmmm," agreed Ginny, practically already there.

Their fourth child was indeed, a girl they called Merida Molly. Strong willed, mischievous yet kind to those in need. She was nicknamed Boo for awhile, as she liked to hide then jump out and surprise those looking for her.

She was not one for school, despite being smart as a whip. She was often caught gazing out the window. She longed to be outside, and often didn't return to lessons after lunch. Sometimes she'd go to Matthew and Heston's, where she'd be pampered and fed cake. Or she'd venture up the hill, to the fountain. She'd lay in the grass, under the sun, watching the clouds roll by. Sometimes she'd fall asleep. Or, if the Scamanders were home, she'd be found there, listening to Luna and Rolf talk about their travels around the world, helping creatures in need.

It was Sirius who gave her a bow and arrow. It was her older brother Arthur who taught her to fight with a sword. It was her eldest brother, James, who taught her politics, and right and wrong. It was her sister, Lily who taught her all the things an elder sister shared with her younger sister. It was her godmother, Luna who told her of the wonders to be found in the world, to not only look, but to actually see what others couldn't.

It was her parents that taught Meri and her siblings the power of true love. For they truly embodied the gift of love, and the power it harnessed. Their father never failed to remind any of them that he wouldn't be half the man he was today, if it hadn't been for Ginny. They set the bar high for their children.

Two Potter children remained to live on the island. In later years, Harry was happy to hand over the reins to his son, knowing their island home, prospering and thriving, was in good hands with James, who loved the island and it's people.

Lily too, still lived on the island, even as she was renowned throughout England as a premier potioneer. She found love with Teddy, who took over from his father as teacher at Stinchcombe Elementary.

Harry and Ginny's two youngest travelled the world, righting wrongs and helping those in need. Arthur had studied as an Unspeakable after Hogwarts, to learn all about magic and it's components. After seven years he became bored with study and went out into the world to use his magic for good. He found love with Rolf and Luna's daughter, Guinevere, named for Arthur's own mother and a strong, powerful witch herself. They were as happy as Arthur's own parents.

Merida, not one for study and learning, left her island home after graduating from Hogwarts. Like her mother, she was a people person, and made friends all over the world. However, disillusioned by people's greed and selfish ways, she found an affinity with animals and creatures, spending time with Lorcan and Lancelot Scamander, continuing on their family legacy of protecting endangered creatures and educating the wizarding world about them. She eventually married Lancelot.

Harry and Ginny shared an idyllic life. Helping the people of Stinchcombe Island, raising their children to become selfless, caring wizards and witches, content to share their lives together. After their children had grown older, and James had become the new Lord of Stichcombe, Harry and Ginny had travelled the world. But never did they find a place that meant more to them than their small island, and never were they more happy than when all their children were home, even if for Artie and Meri, it was simply a visit.

But all that was still to come. For now, Harry watched Ginny sleep as he caressed the tight skin over her belly. Wishing, hoping and praying, as he had done with the other three, for a healthy child, boy or girl. Watching the woman he loved sleep as the babe inside her grew. As he followed her into sleep, he again thanked a higher power for sending her to the island all those years ago. Sending her to him, so they could both heal and find love.

For it truly was the most powerful magic in the world.

Tale as old as Time, tune as old as song

Bitter sweet and strange, finding you can change

Learning you were wrong.

Tale as old as Time

Song as old as rhyme

Beauty and the Beast.

~finite~