Don't ask me
What you know is true
Don't have to tell you
I love your precious heart

I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never tear us apart

We could live
For a thousand years
But if I hurt you
I'd make wine from your tears

I told you
That we could fly
'Cause we all have wings
But some of us don't know why
Never tear us apart, (Andrew Farris, Michael Hutchence)

The old train station prepared this morning to receive its visitors, its imposing façade looking out at a vibrant London, the rails leading to far away places in the United Kingdom. The station withstood the impermanence of its visitants since 1852, but today was a special day. They would receive the influx of Wizarding travelers, the parents and their children who would board the Hogwarts Express and go to magical school.

The first visitors of the day arrived and soon many more followed. At 10.05 AM, a contingent of blonds made their entrance. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy entered, still as youthful as ever, followed by their irrepressible offspring: Antares, Deneb and Cass.
Deneb was casually trying to pass something along to Antares, possibly a prank, until Cass roughly grabbed the offending item and with a heated glare, summarily dismissed the two blonds from her.

A little while later, two boys who appeared to be twins followed: Scorpius Malfoy-Potter and Sagittarius Potter-Malfoy. Scorpius looked exactly like an eleven year old Draco, and Sagi resembled eerily his father Harry, he even insisted in wearing the same kind of glasses. They hastily got trolleys to haul their trunks and their owls' cages. Their sister Iris was trailing them, seemingly engrossed in reading Witch Weekly. Andromeda Tonks was a few steps behind. The matriarch was obviously angry at Antares and Deneb for some prank.

The Silver Trio entered. Daphne Malfoy, still looking as ethereal and beautiful as all those years ago, was toting a Notebook, and appeared to be dragging a reluctant Harry Potter on to the station. Harry looked dashing, his untamable mop of hair seemed as wild as ever, despite the continued battle of his mates to tame it. Harry also looked a little bored, until he happened to glance in the direction of his mate and noticed his rosy lips forming a slight pout.

Draco Malfoy sauntered in looking like he owned the place. He still looked nearly the same as he had after the Battle. His mop of blond hair still dazzled the eye and remained as thick as always. His chiseled features commanded attention, like they constantly did. His gaze drifted continually to his mates, his children and his family.

The youths prepared to make the traditional voyage to Platform 9 3/4. Once inside, Draco bought some sweets from a vendor and gave them to his children and Cass.
The Malfoy-Potters were rudely interrupted by a pack of reporters, who shouted, "There's the Boy Who lived!"

Immediately they converged around Deneb and started asking about his plans. Some wayward Death Eaters had told the reporters about the Dark Lord's resurrection and final defeat at the hands of the child of Prophecy, Deneb Malfoy.

There was a relentless pressure to idolize Deneb, and only the Malfoy-Potters considerable power and status kept the press and the public in check. Harry had reflected bitterly that a similar protection scheme could have been worked out on his behalf, given his family and Dumbledore's power, but nothing was done and Harry was left alone, to face the glaring beasts on his own.

The reporters, after having received simple answers from Deneb, took notice of Harry. Immediately they surrounded him shouting questions. Harry decided to answer one of them. A reporter for the Quibbler asked, "Master Potter, is it true that you are planning to hold an exposition devoted to your work in the Magical Wing of the Louvre?"

Harry answered, "Yes, I am planning that. The details are being finalized and I only have to discuss some things with the curators."
The reporters left after trying to wiggle an interview with Healer Malfoy, thereupon Draco thundered and curtly bid them adieu.
Harry was a little nervous about the exhibit. It would highlight his career, and he intended to show a picture he had been working on for more than ten years.
Silver Trio on a Cliff: Daphne, Draco and himself at the top of a cliff, facing cheerfully the morning dawn.
Their faces showed expectations of love, family and life. So many years later, it warmed Harry's heart that the promises had been amply fulfilled, and would continue to be so for however long the world allowed.

Harry had been doubtful about finishing this picture. It seemed to contain such an important part of his life. As long as he continued adding details, he didn't have to end it. In a way, it felt like closing a door to a room he wouldn't be returning to, it was that final. Eventually he realized that endings may turn into beginnings.

Harry reflected that it had been 19 years since Voldemort disappeared, since he had felt strange powers and voices controlling him so subtly that they made him a toy to fulfill someone's crazy plans. The scar didn't tingle anymore, but Harry knew now not to rely on appearances. He would meet each peril as they came, rejoicing in the warmth provided by his mates and family.

Suddenly Scorpius shouted, "Hey, Ernie's here!" The Malfoy-Potters turned to watch the Longbottoms: Neville, his wife Hannah and son Ernest. Nev nodded curtly and Draco nodded back, thereupon Neville rushed to Draco and hugged him, as well as Harry and Daphne.
Andromeda, Narcissa, Lucius and Draco took advantage of the arrivals and motioned for Antares and Deneb to accompany them. They walked until they were in another aisle. Antares and Deneb fidgeted, figuring they would be chastised for another prank.

Lucius started gently, "Don't worry, it's not about pranks. It's about your future. Both of you are now adult wizards. We would like you to have an adult perspective and power."

Narcissa continued, "Antares, I know how much you delight in risk-taking and difficult assignments. We would like you to be near the Amazon Preserve, to take a role in defending the world's future. You would find that your skills are needed, you would be trained in new ones. With time, you would eventually come to direct the operations. Of course you will be on your own, and none of us would use our position to help you, if you do not develop as you can."

"Deneb, there was a new position opening in St. Mungo's that requires a Healer Apprentice. Your aunt Iolande and your sister Daphne put a word about you, and you have been offered it."

Andromeda added, "I want to stress that we just want you to fulfill your potential. You are free to choose neither one, you are free to arrange something in which the two of you work together. We will support you."
Antares asked, "What do you advice, Dwa?"

Draco replied, "I can't answer that. What I would prefer would be to have you near us at the Manor for always, but I've noticed how you sometimes get a faraway look as if you dreamed of adventures, and Deneb tries to surreptitiously read Healing books. What I want to say is that it is OK to have such dreams, and if you decide to separate for now, that doesn't mean that it will always remain so. You share ties of blood and bonds of love that are unbreakable. I just want you to develop your potential for the best."

HRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRH

Ernest, Scorpius and Sagi started talking. The boys were no strangers, because they had seen each other at least twice a year for some time now. Antares and Deneb later joined the talk.

When Scorpius needled Antares about having kissed Mary Abbott, the Metamorphmagus retaliated with some choice bad news. Scorpius became agitated and looked at Harry with beseeching eyes. Harry motioned for him to go outside. Presently he joined him and Scorpius revealed that Antares had gleefully sprung the news that Iolus Snape would be the Potions assistant. He was serving as apprentice to the Potions Master, his father. He was rumored to be as strict as Severus.

Harry was flabbergasted and decided to get the big guns, Draco and Daphne. After the blonds had been called and apprised of the situation, Daphne took control and just said nonchalantly, "What you and Sagi and Ernest have to do, if Iolus proves recalcitrant, is consult aunt Iolande. She will put a stop to any posturing. If the situation is still unmanageable, I urge you to go to the Head of Gryffindor, your uncle Neville. Should you need it, write to us. We will go there at once and we will use our influence in the Board of Governors."

"Do try to get along if you can, but if you can't, we are behind you."

When Draco returned to the others, he realized that Sagi was very nervous. He unobtrusively pointed to the door, and he and Sagi left to buy more sweets. Draco asked softly, "What's up, Sagi?"
Sagi replied, "Dad, I'm worried that I will be sorted into Slytherin, and Daddy won't like it."

Draco answered, "We will accept wherever you are put. If Scorpius is put into Hufflepuff, then that's good for him. If you're put into Slytherin or Gryffindor, then that's good. Whatever works for you is OK with us. Trust me, I know Harry. He wouldn't hold it against you. Moan about it, yes, but he would understand, given that he was almost put into Slytherin himself."

Draco mused that it was Scorpius who seemed to confide more in Harry than him, and it was Sagi who seemed to have found him a better confidant than Harry. Apparently whatever distinguished Harry and Draco so much also acted on their sons, and as a result the boys looked for a closer ear in the opposite father.

Through the years he had watched their beloved faces grow old. With Sagi, his green eyes sometimes shined with the wisdom and restraint of Daphne, sometimes appeared to have the passion and fire of Harry.

Soon they were joined by their former classmates. Blaise and Pansy showed up. After a tumultuous love affair, Blaise finally got the presence of mind and calm needed to propose to Pansy, he made the point that both of them had had crushes on Draco, so apart from similar tastes, they had the blond as a common thread. She accepted, although smirking all the way. They had a son called Etienne Zabini.

Millicent traveled for a year around the world, and found in America a fellow witch that fulfilled her dearest fantasies. In due time she married Althea Blackstone. They had a daughter called Constanza Bulstrode.

Gregory Goyle found solace in the arms of a fellow Wizard, a German called Hans-Peter Drassten. They adopted a baby wizard and named him Vincent Goyle, which brought a tear to Goyle's and Draco's eyes from time to time.

Draco was left alone for a few moments in the hullabaloo caused by the Slytherins and their progeny.
He mused about reality. In his mind's eye, he still endured sometimes the torment they had caused Scorpius, he wondered which Scorpius was more real, the one here or in the alternate future. However that was answered, he knew in his heart this was irrefutably Scorpius, albeit a freer, more opinionated and daring individual, which could come from having grown up with two sets of grandparents, two uncles, one aunt, his twin and his sister.

He intuited that posing this question was useless. There are perhaps areas that are better left alone, unobserved, at least while he lingered in this realm.

Whenever he felt very sad, he relied on the hard-earned wisdom of Daphne and the endless fortitude of Harry to support him and lend him strength.

HRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRH

Harry noticed Draco's distress and hastened to comfort him, and they soon engaged in a heated kiss, to no one's surprise. Soon they were joined by Daphne, and the Silver trio held the others close to their hearts.

Later, after Daphne had taken some photos, she pocketed her camera and went on to talk with her friends. She waited until the Wizarding photo was ready and then gave it to Iris. She looked at Narcissa and nodded, signifying that they would share the loot. At first she had been really angry at her for taking her camera without asking, but soon they got to talking and decided to join resources. Narcissa had conveniently told her how to get instant Wizarding photo equipment, and they agreed to share the spoils. It was a simple matter to buy another camera so whenever any blonde needed it, it would appear.

Daphne cast her eyes toward her sons, daughter and family. She felt proud, a sense of accomplishment swelled up in her that eclipsed that caused by the Conception Charm. She saw Iris looking downcast, though, and she bade for her to sit next to her.

Daphne tried to get information out of her and controlled her temper. Iris was just as stubborn as Harry and Draco combined, which amounted to a large quantity. Eventually she confessed that she was sorry to see her brothers go. They would have fun at Hogwarts and forget about her. She'd be unutterably bored!

Daphne wondered for a second about her daughter's precision in her language, but she shouldn't be so surprised, Iris read a lot. That gave her an idea.

She started softly, "You know, Millie has another daughter, Besen, she is as old as you. I'm sure I can arrange for you to visit with her." Now for the Slytherin twist, "She lives near a public library, and she likes to read a lot, perhaps you both will go there and have some fun."

Iris's face lit up and she enthused, "That'd be all right, Mother!" Her twin brothers were seemingly forgotten, and it looked like she might have a good time after all.

The moment they would leave approached relentlessly. Scorpius got close to Draco and hugged him fiercely. Draco held him just as strongly. Scorpius asked hesitantly, "Will you still want me if I go to Gryffindor? You're always commenting how awful they are."

Draco looked directly into his son's eyes, the same shade of grey as his, and replied confidently, "I will always want you, Scorpius. I loved you for so many years before you were born. You are one of the best things that have happened to me. I would change reality to have you in it, I would defy the Dementors for you. You can do what you want, I will support you always."

Soon came the time for the budding wizards and witches to board the Hogwarts Express. After many hugs and surreptitious tears, the young ones left and boarded the train. The older ones started to leave Platform 9¾.

No one appeared to notice as a Wizarding photo slid forlornly to the floor. It depicted a veritable tribe of blonds and also some outstanding black-haired individuals. The photo seemingly captured an eternal instant where their feelings flew free, like butterfly wings.

And reality grew ever more complex, unfettered by any magic, free to choose its venue, thanks to the Unsung Hero and his mates.

The old train station continued to receive visitors intent on traveling to remote parts of the United Kingdom. Near Platform 9¾ the Hogwarts Express began its journey toward Hogwarts, bearing precious treasure. Inside the Platform, the magical doors were about to be closed and the floor cleaned when a lone figure approached the place where the photo was.

Thin and long fingers, pale as alabaster, reached out to grab the photo. The man smiled lovingly at his family. He carefully folded the photo and put it inside his Armani jacket, right beside the others he always kept near his heart. Draco Malfoy would always care for photographs of his family, because they had brought him strength and belief and courage.

THE END