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"I c—can't do it! I can't do it, Daddy!" A little redhead is seen crying into her father's shirt. It is a foggy day, the first of September, and many people are boarding trains at King's Cross Station. On Platform nine and three quarters, only one girl seems to be ambivalent.

"Of course you can. You can do anything if you put your mind to it. Life is about taking risks. Come on, get in." A strong, muscular, tall man picks up the girl and sets her in the train.

"No. No, Daddy, I'm scared." She tries to jump back off, but he holds her firmly. A woman with bushy brown hair and chocolate brown eyes is dealing with a sobbing boy a ways off, and even as the man looks at her for help, she turns away a bit to show that the girl is his responsibility.

"Don't be, Rosie. Come on, get into the train."

"I'm only eleven!" she cries, looking worried and very afraid as her eyes well with tears once more.

"Same age as me when I left, Rosie. Mum and I'll write every day."

"Really?" A look of hope crosses her face and she wipes her tears on her t-shirt.

"Really."

"Promise?" She steps off the train.

"It's leaving!" he shouts, looking aghast.

"Promise me, Daddy!" But she is jumping back on as…rumble… it chugs away, gathering speed.

Still, she hears his cry as he runs with the train, waving and smiling encouragingly. "I promise, Rosie, I promise! I love you!"

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

A tall, muscular man is sitting in a dusty old attic. His flaming red hair is taking on gray wisps here and there. His head is in his hands, and his shoulders are shaking. It is impossible to tell whether he is laughing or crying.

"Daddy?" calls a woman's voice.

He doesn't answer or even raise his head.

"Ron! Ron, come on, the ceremony will start in about an hour!" A bossy voice overpowers the sweeter one, but this time he raises his head.

"I'll be there soon, love," he calls. His face is streaked with dust, lines, and tears.

A woman makes her way up the winding steps. "Daddy, what's wrong?" she gasps. She takes one look at his face and the look of unadulterated joy disappears, replaced by a worried frown.

"You look so like your mum, Rosie."

"Daddy, tell me what's wrong."

"You—how—when—Oh Merlin, Rose. You're leaving my house forever, what's a father to do?"

She laughs a bit. "Daddy, you know it'll never be permanent. This house is like a first love: it'll always be in my heart. Besides, Scorpius and I will visit. And we'll write every day."

"Really, Rosie? Do you promise?" He stands, and she goes to hug him.

Her voice is muffled, as she is speaking into his shirt. "I promise. I love you." She backs up to look at him and a grin spreads over her face. "Besides, life is about taking risks."

He laughs a bit and they head down the stairs. The woman's worried frown is again replaced by a smile of innocent love and excitement.

And his tears are gone, replaced by a look of unadulterated happiness.

FIN