Disclaimer: I own no part of Harry Potter or its associated canon nor any other already copyrighted material.

(A/N): At last, the final chapter. Took long enough. Thanks for reading. A special thanks to those of you who waited this long for me to finish.

Chapter 29

A Normal Year

Harry kept up the rhythm of his hand moving in small circles on Evelyn's back that seemed to be keeping her content. He held her against his shoulder and could just hear the whisper of breath as she slept. He felt a similar level of contentment settling through his body as he sat there holding his two month old daughter. It was a feeling he remembered well from holding each of his previous children.

More through pure stubbornness and unwillingness to show weakness in front of the staff of St. Mungo's than anything else Harry had remained conscious while Ginny gave birth. At this position in his life it was a point of personal pride to wait for his children to arrive and he would be damned if getting beaten to within an inch of his life was going to stop him this time. Ron, who had managed a few hours of sleep before arriving to keep him company, found this to be a somewhat humorous proposal considering the day's events. Harry had refused to back down even as he had tried to eat his coffee and drink the donut his friend had brought. And after his vigil he had been rewarded with the chance to hold his newborn daughter. In an act of supreme mercy Ginny allowed him some rest before they decided on a name. Evelyn Margaret hadn't seemed to mind waiting.

He sat like that for some minutes until a figure appeared in the doorway of the dim third floor room. He could just make out the smile on Ginny's face as she watched him. Once again the room next to their bedroom was in use which always made her happy. After a moment she approached and held out her arms. Harry carefully handed her their daughter. The child fussed a little during the transition but quickly found a comfortable place to continue her nap. Making sure all was well Ginny looked back up at him and spoke in a low whisper.

"Kids are ready. You should get going." Harry nodded.

"Are you sure you want to stay behind?" She nodded slowly.

"King's Cross would be a bit much for her. This fall we'll take her." Harry wasn't sure if Ginny was consciously aware of the slight rocking motion she always developed when holding a newborn but it unfailingly kept the kid happy.

"Okay." He leaned in and kissed her softly. "I love you." He could feel the smile as it grew across her lips.

"Love you too." As Ginny took his place in the chair Harry straightened his clothes and stepped out of the room. His eyes took several moments to adjust to the light in the hall before he looked back. With a last glance to mother and daughter and a wave from Ginny he turned and headed down to the entryway where the majority of his other children were waiting. Though not the momentous event the trip had been in September the chance to ride in a Ministry vehicle and see the busier parts of London always evoked excitement.

With the trio already bouncing in anticipation it took only a moment to bundle them out the door and into the Ministry car waiting out front. As he took his place facing the back window Harry looked over each of their faces. Lily was leaning almost against the glass as they rode probably imagining her trip to Hogwarts that would come in a few months. The twins had their heads together and seemed to be writing on a piece of parchment that kept erasing their words almost as fast as they wrote them. He was about to ask what they were doing when the driver cleared his throat. Robert glanced over his shoulder as he spoke.

"How are things up top these days?" Harry half turned around to face the man.

"Dull. Thankfully." The man nodded thoughtfully.

"Cheers to that. No more psychotic witches roaming around?" Harry shook his head with a rueful smile.

"No. Fortunately. I need a break." Robert feigned being taken aback.

"The great Harry Potter is tired of the action?"

"Don't mind a little action here and there, but the quite times are good too." Defeating Siona had brought him and Ron another commendation from the Ministry and more renewed fame in the press. To the pair of Aurors it had just felt good to be able to close the case. They'd only heard from Keystone and Patinkin once in the two months since. The pair was moving across the States informing families there of what had happened. Harry hoped they could find some measure of peace from it.

"Indeed." The man turned fully back to the road and Harry once more turned to face his children. Harry watched the streets of the city race away from him as he rode and let himself slip into a trance that allowed the drive to pass in a pleasurable calm. He pulled himself back to the world as they arrived at the entrance to King's Cross station heralded by the growing excitement in his daughter's eyes. With Lily needing no guidance Harry concentrated on keeping the twins corralled. It was surprisingly easy as they were otherwise distracted by something they were whispering about. That wasn't good. All he could though was sigh and deal with it when it arrived.

The station was relatively quite and Harry took the time to look it over. For what must have been the tenth time in the last few months he felt a strange bit of nostalgia as he recalled his previous visits to the station. From his first nervous arrival with Hagrid and crossing paths with the Weasleys as he sought in vain for the platform to the last time near his schooling when he had joined his adopted family to await Ginny's return. And then bringing his own child to the station where James had taken his first solo steps into the larger world. All of it brought a grin to his face.

As they neared the entrance to Platform 9 ¾ Harry caught sight of a tall man with red hair glancing around. He smiled as he joined Ron and Hermione near the pillars. They both kneeled and returned hugs from their niece and nephews. As they rose Harry glanced around. "What are you two doing here?" Hermione cocked and eyebrow and tilted her head.

"Picking up Gideon and Rose? Our children? Same reason you're here?" Harry tried to wave off the look in her eye.

"Obviously. What I meant, is why are you here," he pointed to the stone beneath them, "instead of on the platform?" Before they could answer he felt a tug on his coat.

"Come on dad! We're going to be late!" He glanced down to Sirius and then to the barrier eight feet away. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Ron making small motions with his hear toward the pillar while glancing at the kids. Harry refocused on his twins.

"Why don't you go ahead? We'll be right behind you. Lily? Can you keep and eye on them?" The girl nodded slowly and followed the pair through the barrier, a questioning look on her face. He turned back to his friends. "Okay…what's up?" Hermione spoke first.

"Ron told me…you two talked about…us." It took Harry a moment to pull up the conversation from his memory before nodding.

"Yeah. I haven't told anyone if that's what you're wondering. Not even Ginny. I would never…" He drifted off as she shook her head. "What?" She glanced at her husband and received a nod of encouragement.

"We…I wanted you to know that we decided Ron was probably right." Harry considered that for a moment.

"Okay. That's good right?" They both smiled and nodded quickly. "So…?"

"We also wanted you to know you'll have another niece or nephew in a few months." At that both of them broke into wide smiles and Harry's was only a second behind. "And that you can tell Ginny. We wanted to make sure you found out first." Harry found himself hugging her firmly a moment later and shook Ron's hand as he did so.

"Congratulations."

"Thanks." Hermione glanced at the station clock. "Oh! We should get moving. The Express will be here in a moment." With a newfound spring in his step Harry followed them through the brickwork and out on to the platform. As they arrived he could hear a steam horn in the middle distance signaling the arrival of the Hogwarts Express.

As one every person standing on the platform looked up and followed the approach of the bright red locomotive. Harry's eyes sought the students leaning out the windows looking over the faces he recognized as they grew nearer. At last the train ground to a halt on the same metal wheels it had been using for decades.

Older students, dressed mostly in muggle attire, were the first off as their opened the doors and dropped the folding stairs for everyone behind them. It would be their last duty as prefects for the year. As students began to unload Harry's eyes swept back and forth along the length of the carriages seeking his son. About fifty feet away he caught the gaze of Draco doing the same. The man stared at him for a long second before offering a firm nod and just the hint of a smile. Harry returned it before once more sweeping the platform.

It felt strange not to have Ginny by his side at this moment but he would see her soon enough. She was right about the effect it might have on Evelyn though, at the same time, he had sort of wanted to show her off. Well, there would be plenty for time for that later.

After watching several dozen students disembark he found what he sought. James was leading Gideon and Mary down the stairs and along the coach to an attendant that was off loading their luggage onto several carts. Harry waited patiently for the boy to find him. While he waited Lily appeared at his side with the twins in tow. She had her head cocked to the side and was staring at her brother with a strange expression on her face.

"Lily? What's wrong?" She raised her hand and tapped a lone finger against her lips. It was such a look of mature consideration that Harry very nearly felt it was creepy. She stared for a moment more before looking up.

"Just thinking. James isn't allowed to use magic at home…right?" Harry nodded.

"Technically, no. Why?"

"Just making sure." She continued her consideration and Harry was left no choice but to shake it off. Following her gaze he found the trio approaching him, James once more in the lead. The boy had recovered well after the attack. For better or worse he had gained a certain amount of notoriety and fame in the aftermath and Harry had several mental notes to make sure it didn't go to his head.

Gideon had also recovered. He had spent the better part of a week in the medical ward recuperating from the effects of whatever Siona had hit him with and, as Harry understood it, was now being painted as the courageous Gryffindor who had taken a magical bullet for his friend. Since nothing short of a mass pensieve trip would confirm or refute that, it was likely to stick.

Mary had been both the most and the least damaged of the three. While her physical injuries had been superficial the psychological harm of the encounter had shaken her. Harry could relate somewhat. The first two people she had really befriended in her new environment were almost killed in front of her. She had persevered though and Harry could see a gleam of focus and determination in the corners of her eyes now that hadn't been there at the beginning of the year. She was going to be all right.

As the three of them stopped in front of him James looked over Harry and his siblings quickly. As confusion spread across his face he focused on his father. "Where's mum?"

"At home with your new sister. The station's a bit noisy for her." Recognition crossed the boy's face as he nodded slowly.

"Hey dad!" Gideon had spotted his parents and shot past them with his trolley. Harry turned to see him crash into his mother's waiting arms as Rose stepped around her father. A smiled crossed his face as he turned back to his own child.

"So…are you two ready to go? Mary, your mother should be just beyond the barrier." Telling Virginia about what had happened had been strange. Harry had done his best to frame it a way that seemed reasonable but given what was being dealt with he had little success. Virginia had very nearly attempted to pull her daughter out of Hogwarts immediately despite Harry's best efforts. In the end it had been a long conversation with Ginny that had convinced the woman to leave her daughter in school. Harry still didn't know what his wife had said but he was thankful she had.

They both nodded and Harry stepped aside with a grand sweep of his hand to indicate they should lead the way. James hesitated for a moment and then deferred to allow Mary to go first. She was somewhat surprised but took a quick step forward and started off. Keeping all four of his children in front of him Harry brought up the rear. Weaving through the crowd of students and families took a few minutes but Mary managed a fairly straight path. Unlike the start of the year, meetings and greeting now were a quick word or just a nod as students were eager to get home and parents to welcome them back.

As they passed though the barrier she quickened her step once more, pushed herself up onto tip toes and began looking around. A firm glance to the twins prematurely ended the mocking copycat behavior he instinctively knew they were about to perform. Albus froze on the balls of his feet and then dropped back to the ground with a frown.

"Mary!" Harry's eyes found Virginia approaching just after her daughter's had. The girl burst toward her mother and nearly bowled a couple of other students over. Harry felt a smile pulling at his lips as he watched the pair embrace. It turned to curiosity a moment later however when he noticed the person standing beside them. A glance told him James was talking to Gideon for the moment and he could step away as Lily and the twins were busy talking to Rose. He did so and addressed the man standing beside Virginia.

"Fred? What are you doing here?" The man glanced at Harry, Virginia, Mary, his brother and sister-in-law and then through the circuit once more before settling his eyes on Harry and shrugging.

"Oh…business was slow today and I thought Virginia might like some company while waiting for Mary." Harry blinked several times as his mind tried to make sense of what he was seeing. No immediate explanation came to mind.

"O…kay…" Before he could go further he notice Virginia was staring at him with Mary at her side. The woman had a strange expression in her eye that mixed awe, fear and reproach. Understandable. After what had happened she was clearly seeing Harry in a new light. Harry met her gaze with as much serentity as he could manage. "Ms. Williams. Good to see you." She stared at him for long moment before nodding slowly.

"And you Mr. Potter." She paused and glanced at her daughter. "According to Mary your son has invited her to visit during the summer." Harry cocked and eyebrow and turned to glance at James. The boy nervously met his gaze before offering a hopeful smile and looking away.

"Did he now?" As he turned back he could see Mary looking up at her mother, a small hopeful smile also on her face.

"Yes. I can't say I love the idea but they are friends. I wanted to make sure it was all right with you." Harry considered the question for a moment before nodding.

"Of course. We'd be happy to have her. As long as it's all right with you." Virginia didn't look entirely pleased with the idea but nodded nonetheless. Mary looked ecstatic.

"Thank you Mr. Potter!" Harry smiled at the girl and gestured to his son.

"I'm sure James will write soon with an invitation. He might even wait until tomorrow." Mary shot off to tell James the news and say goodbye. As Harry turned back he found Virginia staring at him with a look of hard focus in her eyes. There was something vaguely resembling one of Mrs. Weasley's disapproving glares in it. Harry's eyes shot back and forth for a moment before settling. "Yes Ms Williams?" She continued the stare for a long moment before speaking, her voice growing harder as she continued.

"I don't know a lot about magic Mr. Potter, but I do know a lot about people. And I know that you are dangerous." Harry felt momentarily taken aback by the statement. He knew he tended to end up in dangerous situations and that his life had been anything but harmless, but he had never viewed himself as personally unsafe. "And I just want you to know, that while I won't stop my daughter from attending Hogwarts or spending time with your family…if anything happens to Mary and you're involved, I don't care how powerful you think you are, I will hunt you down and I will make you bleed."

The absolute iron resolve in her words made Harry blink numerous times and he noticed Fred was doing much the same. He took several moments to attempt to stammer out a response. "Virginia…I would never…" She cut him off with a quick slashing gesture of her hand.

"No. Not intentionally. I just want you to understand. Where my daughter is concerned, anything that happens has consequences." Harry blinked again and slowly composed himself. After several moments he nodded solemnly.

"I understand." She gave what almost be a nod of respect.

"Good." She held the glare for a moment before her face melted into a smile as Mary returned. Harry cut a glance ot Fred who still looked shaken and managed an infinitesimal shrug of his shoulders probably trying to indicate he had no idea she was planning that. With careful goodbye's Harry bid the trio good day and returned to his children. As he did so Hermione and Ron departed with their kids in their wake and Gideon promising to visit soon. Harry rolled his eyes as he watched them go and noticed Ron was mimicking the action. Well, he could hardly blame Gideon. He and Ron had been much the same at his age.

Virginia and her daughter left a moment later with Fred beside them walking at a not quite intimate distance away. Harry still found that odd. Fred was hardly the type to take time away from the stores for a random person he had met once at a Christmas party. Clearly something more was going on.

Shrugging it off onto his ever growing pile of things to think about later Harry closed in on his offspring. As he approached the twins were teasing their brother about his 'new girlfriend' while Lily merely rolled her eyes. So there were at least three people in the house that wouldn't let him get away with playing the hero all summer.

Glancing around Harry found that the platform was nearly deserted. The barrier had likely solidified by now and he could just make out the last couple families heading toward the exit. For a moment he thought he felt an unnatural chill and nearly drew his wand. Then he realized a train further down the line had just opened a refrigerated box car.

"Dad? Everything okay?" James had a hand in one of his bags where his wand was likely resting and was looking around. Harry waved it off while admiring his son's keen eye.

"Everything's fine James. My mistake." The boy relaxed and drew out his empty hand. Harry glanced around once more. "So…shall we?" Stepping aside he let Lily lead with the twins behind her. He fell in next to James as the boy pushed the trolley toward the front doors of King's Cross. As they walked Harry settled back down. Alert was fine. Jumpy was bad. To distract himself he looked down at his son. "So James, what do you think of your first year at Hogwarts?"

The boy considered the question for several seconds and Harry could see the thoughts playing over his eyes. A quick hand kept him from running his own siblings over with the trolley. At last James refocused and looked up at his father. "I can't wait to go back!" After another moment's consideration he added, "But I hope next time it will be a normal year at Hogwarts."

Harry started laughing. It was loud, pure and felt good. It lasted for some seconds and he was getting strange looks from the muggles nearby. Eventually even his children started staring at him with quizzical expressions. James was the first to ask.

"Dad? What is it?" Harry managed to contain himself and spoke through a grin.

"James…that was a normal year at Hogwarts!"

(A/N): And that is the end. This one took a lot longer than it should have but I think the results were almost worth it. Thanks for reading. Later.

(A/N): If you feel it is warranted go ahead and review. I welcome any and all opinions.