Let the fanfare play! Let the cheers be cried! Everyone stand and bid your farewell! Here we are!
THE LAST CHAPTER!
After a bit more than two months, it's actually over. I devoted most of my summer to this story and now it has finally come to an end. I still remember when I first started this story. I mean, I never really intended to write it at first. But, when I saw those awesome pictures on deviantArt and saw how few gender bending stories there are, I decided to take a shot with this one! Man, was I taken aback by the response! Over one hundred reviews, over sixty favorites, nearly sixty alerts, over 6K views. I would have never thought that this story would be as popular as it is! But the story's popularity isn't my doing, so some thanks are in order.
First, a thank you to the artists that gave me the inspiration to write this story. CrownCat, for your gender bent versions of Harry, Hermione, Neville and Luna. The artist, maaria, for your version of gender bent Ron. And Chakolite-G, for your drawing of female Harry and George, which inspired me to pair them together in this story. Check out these three for many more fantastic drawings by them. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this tale from start to finish. You guys kept reminding me that there were people reading, especially on those days when writer's block got on my nerves. Thanks to those who put this story in their favorites and/or alerted to it. Nice to know that you guys thought that this story had what it took to make it into your lists. Thanks to my reviewers, whose comments made me happy and gave the motivation I needed to keep going. A special thank you to Tzadikim, for commenting on every chapter and for the extra support you gave. Seriously, everyone, check out Tzadikim's profile for some really well done stories, including a couple gender benders. One of Tzadikim's stories, "All Was Well", partially inspired me while I was writing this chapter.
Anyways, like I've mentioned before, I plan on doing more stories with these partially gender bent Harry Potter characters. They're fun to write and I have more ideas in mind for them. I hope you'll check out those stories too.
P.S.: Check out the bottom of this page for my notes regarding the Next Generation, as I made them in this story. Now, let's get into the story! Oh, and by the way, we're looking at another multiple perspectives chapter, but this one has a lot more perspective changes than any of the other chapters did. Surprising that this wasn't my longest chapter…
Disclaimer: One more time, with feeling! I don't own Harry Potter! …Well, I never said it had to be a happy feeling…
The sun rose slowly on this crisp autumn morning, the first of September. It was seven o' clock and Grimmauld Place was rather quiet and peaceful.
Well, all the houses were peaceful except for one…Number 12…
It had taken a certain number of spells and some careful planning, as well as a good amount of luck, but the neighborhood Muggles soon accepted the sudden presence of 12 Grimmauld Place, which had been under a Fidelius Charm up until the renovations were all done on it.
To those in the wizarding world who were familiar with the ancestral home of the Black family, none would recognize the place. The only unchanged portion of the house was the topmost floor, where the bedrooms of Sirius and Regulus Black lay, though they were far cleaner than they had been before. Other than that, the place was brighter, more open, had more warm colors, pictures, toys…It finally felt like a home instead of just a house.
The removal of the portrait of the screeching Black family matriarch, which was done by the removal of the very wall she was mounted to, also helped to improve the atmosphere of the home.
While the members of the other households were only just starting to stir, things were already up and running at the residence of the Potters.
That's right, the Potters…Harri still remembered when her husband had offered her the chance all those years ago…
"What did you say?" the twenty-two year old Harri asked from her place on the couch in the living room of her home, upon which the final renovations were completed almost three years ago.
In her arms were several books of different bridal dresses and bridesmaids' outfits as well. Mrs. Weasley had given them to Harri so that the she would finally get a move on and pick something. After all, Harri's wedding was less than four months away.
Standing in the doorway, giving her his signature mischievous smirk, was the groom-to-be, George.
"You heard me, Harri," he said as he sauntered up to his fiancé, "When we get married, how about I take on your last name instead of you taking mine?"
"And why would you want that?" she asked curiously.
"Think about it," George said as he took a seat on the couch, "There are already a whole bunch of couples known as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley in the family. But there isn't a Mr. and Mrs. Potter…Much more unique, wouldn't you say?"
Harri pondered over the idea. Truth be told, as happy as she was to be getting married to George, Harri had been a little down at the idea of no longer being Harriet Potter. Sure, the name usually brought her nothing but trouble because of the fame attached, but it was who she was…
"You'd be okay with suddenly becoming Mr. Potter, George?"
"Sure!" George said brightly, "It's not like much will change. I'll still be called Mr. Weasley or George at the shop and I'll still be married to you. If you're okay with it, I'm all ready to go!"
Harri laughed at the George's energy. She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Mr. and Mrs. Potter," she said, "…I like the sound of that…"
Harri was alone at the dining room table, which was laden with the breakfast that George had cooked for the whole family, since it was his turn to do so. She was skimming over some paperwork she had brought home with her from the day before. She had called the Auror Office, saying that she would be late. Normally she was known as quite a punctual Head of the Auror Office, a far cry from her Hogwarts days. But Dark wizards would have to wait a few hours…She was going to drop her children off at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
It was something that Harri had already decided upon, long before the kids were even born. No matter what, she would make sure that she was there to see them off to Hogwarts and she would try her hardest to be there to pick them up in June. A tricky case had prevented her from doing so last year but this time she would do it for sure!
"Where are they?" Harri asked no one as she looked at her wristwatch, which was once Fabian Prewett's, "Eight o' clock…"
Harri set down the papers and walked towards the stairs that led to the upper floors.
"Guys!" she called, "Come down here! You know how bad traffic is going to be, we have to leave early!"
The sound of racing footsteps answered her call. Harri smiled as her nine year old daughter, Lily, ran down the stairs, her long red hair flowing behind her. Once she reached the landing, she looked up at Harri with excited brown eyes.
"Mummy, can I please go on the train this year?" she pleaded as Harri led her into the dining room, "I promise I'll come right off. Please, please, please!"
"Absolutely not," Harri responded, "We're not having a repeat of last year. I still can't believe you fit yourself in that fifth year's trunk! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"Daddy thought it was funny," Lily said with a pout as she reached for her cup of juice.
"Your Daddy thinks many things are funny," Harri said with a groan.
Lily looked ready to respond to that, but was cut off by a flapping of wings. Harri shook her head as a tawny owl, Blair, flew around the dining room. The family owl, a snowy owl named Heddwyn, who was perched by the window, flapped his wings in protest of Blair's intrusion. Harri took out her wand and cast a quick charm to keep the food feather free.
"James!" she shouted, "Didn't I tell you to put Blair in his cage?"
Harri's oldest child, twelve year old James, came running into the room, a playful twinkle in his brown eyes. He ran a hand through his black hair as he held out his arm and whistled for his owl, who landed on the arm immediately. Heddwyn let out an aggravated sound in James' direction before going back to sleep.
"Sorry, Mum," James said, though his face seemed to suggest that he wasn't so sorry for the early morning chaos, "Blair's a trickster, you know."
"I know who the tricksters of my family are, and Blair certainly isn't one of them," Harri said, pointing towards the stairs, "Put him in his cage and get back down here for breakfast."
James smirked in a way that reminded Harri of her son's namesakes as he went back up with his owl.
"James likes to cause trouble," Lily said in a wise tone.
"I was asking for it," Harri said as she took a long sip of tea, "I was the one who named him James Sirius."
Lily dropped her fork and Harri almost spilled her tea when a small explosion came from directly above them. Harri glared at the ceiling and gave Lily a new fork before marching upstairs, knowing precisely who was responsible for that ruckus.
Harri opened the door to her youngest child's bedroom and was greeted by the sight she had expected. There was George, sitting on the ground in front of a smoking cauldron, his face covered in black soot. Across from him, laughing hysterically and having skillfully avoided the blast as usual, was six year old Gideon. His red hair was as messy as ever and there were tears of laughter in those green eyes of his. The two turned towards the door when Harri coughed to announce her presence.
"Good morning, love," George greeted with a casual wave, unaffected by Harri's stern look, "Just giving Gideon here a few pointers for the future."
"Daddy blew it up again," Gideon giggled as he gave George a towel.
"Yes, I heard," Harri said as Gideon got up and walked over to Harri, hugging her while he still let out a giggle at his father's face, "George, I thought I said no corrupting Gideon."
"C'mon, Harri," George said as he stood up, finishing wiping the soot from his face, "You already got me to back off of Albus and Lily. I can't have James be my only protégé."
"What's a 'por-ta-shay', Mummy?" Gideon asked.
"Protégé. And it's something I hope you never become, Gideon," Harri said, giving George a look as James peeked his head in the room.
"Again, Dad?" he said, "I told you, add the Murtlap Essence first, then the gillyweed…"
"Who's the professional here?" George asked as he ruffled James' hair, "Is Al up yet?"
"I heard noise from his room but he's not coming out," James said with a shrug.
Harri and George shared a look before Harri went to check on her second oldest child, Albus. She knocked on his door.
"Albus, are you coming down for breakfast?" she asked through the closed door.
"Yeah, Mum…" came the soft response from inside.
Harri recognized a nervousness in his tone, similar to that which she herself had at his age. She didn't blame him for being scared. After all, Albus would be starting his first year at Hogwarts.
"Al, open the door," Harri said gently.
It was quiet for a few moments before the door swung open with a soft click. Albus' bright green eyes stared up at her. She saw that his room was a mess and that his trunk was only half packed. His barn owl was hooting loudly in her cage.
"Heloise is nervous," Albus said softly, gesturing towards the owl, "I was calming her down."
"Is Heloise calm then?" Harri asked, trying to flatten her son's black hair to no avail.
"I don't think so," he replied, "She's still kind of scared. She's never had to be away from home for so long before…"
Harri was about to give Albus a hug and reassure him when James came running down the hall, Gideon at his heels.
"Hurry up, Al!" he called, "Last one to breakfast has to sit in the middle in the car!"
"I'm winning!" Gideon cried as made it to the top of the steps.
"Wait up!" Albus cried, going around Harri and running after his brothers, "I hate the middle!"
Harri rolled her eyes at the boys' antics as George came up beside her, kissing her on the cheek.
"First day jitters?" George said.
"Looks like it," Harri replied.
"Aw, our little Albus is going to be an ickle firstie…" George said jokingly, "I remember another little first year who looked that nervous. Wonder whatever happened to her?"
Harri chuckled as she nudged George's side. She reached into her pocket and pulled a familiar little toy, one that brought a smile to George's face.
"I'd say she's doing just fine," Harri said as she tossed the Golden Snitch in the air and caught it again.
The two of them headed downstairs, where James and Albus were arguing over who got to the table first while Lily was telling Gideon all sorts of stories about what she heard of Hogwarts from her oldest brother and cousins.
Hermes let out a tired moan as he slowly opened his eyes. He yawned as he stretched a little on the bed, an annoying buzzing noise getting on his last nerve. He looked over at the bedside table, at the alarm clock that was the source of the buzzing. The time was half past eight.
Hermes scratched his head, wincing when his fingers caught themselves in a couple of tangles in his hair. To think that today was the day…The day that he'd be sending his oldest, his little Rose, off to Hogwarts.
Where does the time go? he asked himself, recalling the days when he would read Rose passages from his old schoolbooks while she listened intently.
Hermes turned to his other side and smiled. Ronnie's back was to him. She sounded as though she was still fast asleep, based on those soft snores. Hermes moved close to her and planted a soft kiss against her temple.
"Ronnie, love, wake up," he said, "We have to get ready."
Ronnie didn't stir in the slightest. Hermes then placed a kiss on her neck. She twitched a little and shifted a bit closer to him but didn't open her eyes.
"Ronnie, let's go," he said a little louder, "Today's Rose's first day, remember?"
The redhead let out a small groan but made no move to get up. Hermes rolled his eyes at his wife's inability to rise. An idea came to him and he placed his lips by her ear.
"If you don't wake up, I'll make breakfast by myself," he warned.
Hermes rolled away as Ronnie jerked her limbs about so as to release herself from the blankets. She sat up suddenly and glared at Hermes, who had to stifle a laugh at how messy her hair was.
"No. Way," she said in a sleepy yet firm tone, "After what happened last time, you aren't allowed to make breakfast by yourself again."
"It wasn't that bad," Hermes said as he got out of bed and cracked his back.
"Says you," Ronnie yawned as she scratched her chin length hair, before adding jokingly, "I still have nightmares about it…"
"Very funny," Hermes said sarcastically, "I wonder if I should call in to work to see if they remembered that I said I would be late today…"
"You warned them five times already, Hermes," Ronnie said, "Don't stress yourself out over it. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement can last a few hours without going to hell if you aren't there."
"Easy for you to say," Hermes scoffed, "You work with Fred and George at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, and that's not much of a stressful atmosphere. Plus, since they're both coming to the platform as well, you don't have to call to tell them you're not coming in or anything."
"Also helps that they're family…Why's Fred coming again?" Ronnie asked, "Not that I don't like a chance to see the rest of my family, but none of those kids are eleven yet."
"He was there to send off James last year, it figures he'll be back again for Albus and Rose."
After they brushed their teeth, Hermes went off to Rose's and Hugo's rooms to wake them up. He paused outside Rose's room when he heard a lot of noise.
"Rose?" he said questioningly as he knocked on the door.
The door flew open, causing Hermes to jump back in surprise before staring down at his daughter. Her long red hair, not as bushy as Hermes' but still significantly so, was already brushed and tied back in a ponytail. She was all dressed and her trunk looked packed and ready to go. Her tawny owl, Bronwyn, was sleeping in her cage atop Rose's trunk.
"When are we leaving, Dad?" Rose asked excitedly, her blue eyes twinkling, "I'm ready! I suppose Hugo hasn't gotten up yet though, has he?"
"I'm up…" came a groggy voice from behind Hermes.
Nine year old Hugo was staring at his father and older sister drowsily, a hand rubbing one of his blue eyes.
"Good morning, Hugo," Hermes greeted the boy, who was swaying ever so slightly, "…Did you sleep properly last night?"
Hugo shook his head no. Hermes let out a sigh, guessing as to the reason why. Hugo had witnessed Ronnie's "spectacular" freak out over a large spider she found in the bedroom two days ago. Ever since, the poor boy has been having nightmares about spiders coming to snatch him away.
"Hugo, I told you that none of the spiders around here are going to hurt you," Hermes said in a comforting tone, "They're not so big."
"But there are big spiders at Hogwarts, right?"
"Acromantula," Rose stated quickly, in her 'student mode', "A species of giant spiders native to Southeast Asia. They like to live in dense jungle areas and have a taste for human flesh. There are a few in the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts."
Hugo let out a low moan, shuffling a little closer to Hermes' side. Hermes shot a look at Rose, who had the decency to look a little guilty.
"It's alright, Hugo," Hermes said as he rubbed his son's shoulder, "You're not even going to Hogwarts for another two years. And when you do, just stay far away from the Forbidden Forest and the Acromantula won't go near you."
Hugo nodded slowly at his words. Hermes ruffled his son's red hair affectionately before gently nudging him in the direction of the bathroom. He hoped Hugo would splash some water on his face, because he looked tired enough to fall asleep on the toilet…again… He turned back to Rose.
"Now, Rose, you need to eat breakfast before we go anywhere," he said, "We have enough time, what's the rush?"
"I can't help it!" Rose exclaimed, jumping a bit, "Hogwarts, Dad! I'm finally old enough! Oh, what House will I be put in? I wonder if Albus prefers one House over another. Oh, I'm so excited!"
"Calm down, Rosie," Ronnie said in an amused tone as she came up beside Hermes, fixing the clasp of the silver bracelet Hermes bought her all those years ago, "Now, head off to the kitchen. I'll be right there to make breakfast."
"Okay, Mum," Rose said as she went off.
"I knew she was excited but not that much!" Hermes laughed, "I don't recall ever seeing anyone so excited to go to school."
Hermes looked at Ronnie, who was staring up at him with an incredulous expression.
"What?" he asked.
"…I'm not even going to say it," Ronnie muttered as she walked off.
At the Lovegood house, Lonnie was going over some research that his colleague and friend, Rolf Scamander, had sent him regarding some strange, unidentified species of birds in South America. Lonnie was planning on an expedition there with Rolf and a few of their other colleagues to properly document these new creatures.
"What's that?"
Lonnie looked in the direction the little voice had come from and grinned. His four year old son, Lorcan, was gazing at one of the blurry, moving pictures of the strange birds with those curious brown eyes of his. Lonnie brushed a couple strands of the little one's blonde hair out of his eyes.
"Daddy's friends think they found new animals in South America," Lonnie explained.
"Are they Nargles?"
Lonnie chuckled as Lorcan's twin brother, Lysander, climbed onto his leg to look at the pictures too. Lonnie picked up Lysander and placed him next to Lorcan so that they could both see the photographs.
"Perhaps," Lonnie stated, "Or perhaps they're something else entirely."
"You'll be off on another expedition soon, right?"
Lonnie glanced up and smiled warmly as Ginny walked into the room, a notebook and quill on her hand. She walked over to Lonnie and kissed him, making the twins stick their tongues out at their parents and say "eww". Ginny retaliated to their complaints by kissing both of the boys on their foreheads loudly.
"I'm sorry I have to go away, Ginny," Lonnie said apologetically as Ginny picked up Lysander, while Lorcan was content with looking at the pictures some more.
"What are you apologizing for?" Ginny asked, "I always knew this was the kind of job you would have. And we've made it work all these years, haven't we, Lonnie?"
"Indeed we have," Lonnie said with an airy laugh, "I suppose the Blibbering Humdingers decided to give us good luck."
"Oh, so that's what they do," Ginny said with a chuckle, "You never were clear on that, Lonnie. Listen, I have to go and cover a scandal involving the Chudley Cannons for the paper. You sure you can handle the boys until I'm back?"
"Of course, Ginny," Lonnie said as he lifted Lorcan onto his lap, "The boys and I will look over these exciting pictures, right?"
"Can we see the ones with the pretty fish?" Lysander asked.
"Of course!"
"Alright then," Ginny stated, "Ooh, when I finish writing this article, Ronnie's getting the very first copy! Maybe then she'll finally get over her obsession with those Cannons!"
Nellie walked about her home, which was above the Leaky Cauldron, the wizarding pub that her husband, Hank Abbott, was the landlord of. She grabbed a few extra robes and checked on her ever growing Mimbulus Mimbletonia. It was looking healthy, thanks to the special care that Nellie had devoted to it over the years.
She was nearly ready to get going to Hogwarts, where she taught Herbology since Professor Sprout's retirement four years earlier.
"Hank!" Nellie called to her husband, "Have you seen my container of Devil's Snare? I can't find it!"
Hank came out of the bedroom, his arm holding onto the hand of his and Nellie's five year old daughter, Hannah. Her blond pigtails bounced with each step she took and she was holding something under her other arm.
"Why don't you ask her?" Hank said, looking down at Hannah with an expression of both amusement and disapproval.
"Hannah," Nellie said sternly, taking what she recognized as the container of Devil's Snare from the girl, "I told you not to handle any of Mummy's plants without permission!"
"Sorry…" Hannah mumbled, clutching her father's hand tightly as she kept her brown eyes locked on the ground, "It looked sick, so I wanted to take care of it…"
Nellie let out a sigh as she got down to her daughter's level.
"You're still not allowed to do things like this without me or Daddy there to watch you, alright?" she said firmly.
Hannah nodded in response. Nellie kissed her forehead and stood up, kissing Hank as well.
"Now, you two take care while I'm gone, alright?" she said as she finished packing.
"Don't worry, Nellie," Hanks said, picking up Hannah, "We'll take good care of things while you're teaching."
"Bring back new plants, Mummy!" Hannah cried happily.
"We'll see," Nellie said with a chuckle.
Draco Malfoy shook his head as he watched his young son, Scorpius, finish packing his trunk. Scorpius was off to Hogwarts for the first time. But that was not why Draco was shaking his head.
"Any pet, I told him," he whispered to his wife, Astoria, who was watching her son wistfully, "I told him he could buy any of those pets to bring to Hogwarts with him. And he just had to choose that one…"
"This is your own fault, Draco," Astoria said, patting her husband's arm, "You should have told him to buy an owl, a cat or a toad, like the letter said. I thought those were the only animals allowed."
"It's not so stringent," Draco replied, "If the animal is small, it is allowed…But why that one?"
Astoria gave Draco a comforting expression, though he knew she was simply amusing him. They both watched Scorpius reach into the cage that held his new pet, a wide grin on his face.
"At least he's happy, right?" Astoria said.
"…Yes, I suppose," Draco said somewhat reluctantly. He was annoyed at the pet but his son's happiness mattered more.
"Father!" Scorpius called, his pet in his arms, "What do you think of the name Caerwyn? It sounds nice for him, doesn't it?"
Draco looked at his son and suppressed a grimace. He would simply have to get used to the presence of that blasted white ferret in his house.
A car came to a stop in the parking lot by King's Cross Station. Out of the driver's side came Angelina Johnson. She walked over to the passenger side and opened the door, extending a hand.
"Need some help, Fred?" she asked.
"C'mon, Angelina," said Fred with a grin, "I'm not a baby, I can get out of the car by myself. Let the kids out."
Angelina went to the back to get their kids. Fred bent down to retrieve something from the floor of the car, his cane. It took a couple minutes, and by the time he was done the kids were already out of the car, but he got out by himself.
Fred had managed to do exactly what he said he would do after the Battle of Hogwarts. It had taken six years, hundreds of bottles of potions, and plenty of grueling therapy, but Fred had done it…He had managed to walk again.
Of course, it wasn't perfect. He would never be able to get around without his cane again. He had lost a lot of his leg strength, so he couldn't move nearly as fast as he used to. And he still had to take a couple potions daily in order to remove his pain.
But he was able to continue working at his and George's joke shop, though he found himself relying more on George and Ronnie than ever before. And he was still able to play with his beloved children, nine year old Roxanne, six year old Fabian, and three year old Marnie.
Fred looked over at where the rest of his family stood and smiled at them. Roxanne and Marnie resembled their mother as much as Fabian resembled Fred, and that was saying something. Once he reached Angelina's side, Marnie, who had been in Angelina's arms, reached out to Fred with a bright smile.
"I don't know, Marnie," Angelina said, looking at Fred, "What do you think, Fred? Can you take her?"
Fred readjusted his grip on his cane and held out an arm for his youngest. He took Marnie in his arm and, with careful maneuvering, had her sitting comfortably on his shoulders.
"Hold on tight, alright, Marnie?" Fred said before the family slowly headed off towards the station, "How are we the first ones here? Poor Georgie…He's losing his touch…"
"Fred, you and George were never the punctual back at school," Angelina said, holding Fabian's hand and checking on Roxanne, who was right by her father's side.
"Punctual for classes, no," Fred agreed, "But timing means everything for pranks. What's the saying, Fabian?"
"Lose your timing, lose you 'cred-bi-lidity' as a jokester," Fabian said with a playful smirk, much like his father's.
"That's my boy…And it's 'credibility'…"
"Harri was right," Angelina said with a tired sigh, "You and George are corrupting Fabian and Gideon too much…"
"James is even worse, Mum," Roxanne piped up, "He made my hair bright red for a whole week, remember? Said he was getting me in the Weasley spirit of things."
"He's a right natural," Fred said as he stifled a laugh over his nephew's joke for his daughter's sake.
"He's a right git, he is," Roxanne muttered.
"Roxanne, don't use that word!" Angelina scolded.
"Yeah, wait until you're in Hogwarts in two years," Fred added, earning a glare from Angelina.
"I go to Hogwarts!" Marnie said happily, causing several passing Muggles to look at the girl oddly.
"Not until-" Angelina began to say, only to be silenced by the look on Fred's face, which she immediately recognized as his pranking expression.
"Sure, you can go, Marnie," Fred said casually as Fabian giggled, guessing what was coming, and Roxanne rolled her eyes, "I'll send you with your cousins."
"Yay!" Marnie said with delight.
"But…" Fred continued, "Daddy, Mummy, Roxanne, and Fabian can't come…So you'll be by yourself…"
"NO!" Marnie yelled, clutching Fred's head tightly, "Stay with Daddy! I stay with Daddy!"
"Of course, dear," he said, smirking at Angelina, "That's how you do it, Ange…"
"No, I won't! I won't be in Slytherin!"
"Ah, what a shame, Albus…I'll miss you while you're hanging out with the snakes."
"Really? There's a squid?"
"A GIANT squid! James said that he saw it wave at him."
George saw Harri looking over her shoulder at their four children, who were all having lively conversations. Albus and Gideon were in the middle, James having dictated that Albus had most definitely lost their race. The cages holding Blair and Heloise were in their respective owners' laps. It was obvious to George, from her expression, that Harri was wondering if she should have made Albus and Lily switch places, since the two oldest kids looked ready to start fighting.
"James, stop teasing your brother," George said as he looked in the rearview mirror. He glanced to the side and saw that Harri was staring at him with surprise, "What?"
"I never thought I'd hear those words from you," Harri answered.
"You should really have more faith in me, Harri…I'm as capable a parent as you."
"Daddy, is Teddy going to be there?" Lily asked, taking a break from telling Gideon all the rumors James told her.
"I'd say so," George replied, "After all, he is definitely going to send off a certain Weasley, right, Harri?"
"I still can't believe that Bill hasn't tried to hex him yet," Harri said with a laugh.
George nodded in agreement. It was surprising that Teddy hadn't faced the wrath of Bill Weasley. After all, he was going out with Victoire, Bill's oldest. Then again, perhaps Teddy was only safe because he had Harri for a godmother. Harri was pretty skilled with a wand after all…
"By the way, Harri," George said, "You remembered that you need to take off on September 20th, right?"
"What for?" Harri asked.
"What for?" George repeated, adding sarcastically, "Oh, nothing really. Just our annual meet up with the rest of the old team, nothing big."
George watched, out of the corner of his eyes since he was driving, the realization wash over Harri's face. How she had forgotten, he didn't know. Every September 20th, the members of Harri's and George's original Quidditch team met up and hung out for a few hours. Oliver and Katie, Alicia, Lee, Fred and Angelina, George and Harri…Occasionally, Ronnie and Ginny joined in but it was usually just the original team members.
"You think Oliver is going to try and convince me to go professional again?" Harri asked amusedly.
"It's not a proper September 20th without that," George replied with a smirk.
"Oh, you reminded me!" James cried, "I can try out for the House team next year, right?"
"Depends on how many detentions you get this time around," Harri replied, causing George to chuckle.
The only reason that James wasn't trying out for the Gryffindor House team this year was because of the amount of trouble he and his friends had gotten into the year before…Even George, a veteran rule breaker, had been taken aback…
And proud…Very, very proud…
"Hermes, you have to let me drive this time!" Ronnie said excitedly, snatching the car keys out of her husband's hand.
"I don't know, Ronnie," Hermes said warily, "You only received your license three days ago…"
"I wouldn't have one if I didn't earn it, right?" Ronnie shot back, climbing into the driver's seat once she had made sure Rose and Hugo were all set in the back.
Hermes had a resigned expression on his face as he sat in the passenger's seat. Ronnie was going to show him. She had done just fine at the driver's test…Well, except that one moment that she had to Confund the examiner, but it was only for a minor thing! And she could use the Supersensory Charm to take care of things for her.
Ronnie occasionally cast an I-told-you-so look in Hermes' direction as she drove very well. Rose was practically bouncing in her seat, Bronwyn hooting at her indignantly as she did so. She was already dressed in her Hogwarts robes…Oh well, perhaps the Muggles would pass it off as some strange new fashion…Hugo was asking Rose all about what she had read about Hogwarts, seeming a bit envious that his sister got to go already.
As she looked at the kids in the rearview mirror, Ronnie remembered. She looked quickly at Hermes, who was drinking his tea from a cup that he had cast a charm on so that it wouldn't spill.
She hadn't exactly told him yet, trying to figure out how to do so. Harri had told her to just say it outright, that Hermes wouldn't be mad at her. But Ronnie was a bit worried that he would be…After all, it was so unexpected…
"Ronnie, you missed the exit," Hermes stated.
"No I didn't," Ronnie said, looking at the road signs, "Our exit isn't for another five minutes."
"You're going the long way? That exit would've cut down our travel by ten minutes."
"Hermes, I know what I'm doing! My way will definitely be faster."
"And I'm telling you, my way would have been the fast way."
"Oh, so you think you know everything, do you?"
"I believe I do, Rhonda," Hermes said in a teasing tone, causing Rose and Hugo to giggle at their parents.
Ronnie narrowed her eyes at her husband before inspiration struck her.
"Well then," she said rather smugly as Hermes took another sip of tea, "Since you know everything, then you obviously know that I'm pregnant again."
"…Dad! You spit tea all over the windshield!"
"You're here early, Freddie!"
"Why of course, dear brother of mine…" Fred greeted as he adjusted his cane.
The Potters had run across Fred, Angelina and their kids when they made their way onto the hidden Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. They had been searching for Ronnie, Hermes, Rose, and Hugo but couldn't find them. They had spotted Percy while they searched and were able to greet him briefly.
Harri grinned as she watched Fabian and Gideon playing together, similar pranking expressions on their faces. When the two of them were this close, one would think the two were twins, the only big difference being that Fabian had brown eyes. Lily and Roxanne were having an animated discussion about what they had heard of Hogwarts, Marnie clutching Roxanne's leg. James was still teasing Albus.
"I won't be in Slytherin, James!" Albus said, Heloise hooting in what seemed like agreement.
"Give it a rest, James!" Harri said sternly.
"I only said he might be in Slytherin," James said, grinning at Albus but stopping at the look on his mother's face.
"Well, look who's here," Angelina said, pointing past George's shoulder.
Albus looked immensely relieved when four familiar figures made their way towards the group. Rose was beaming at her cousin. Hugo rushed over to where Lily and Roxanne were and the three began to talk about what House they would be in once they were old enough to go to Hogwarts.
"I think I managed to park alright," Ronnie said confidently to Harri, "Hermes didn't think I'd pass a Muggle driving test, but I showed him."
Harri snickered at Hermes, who looked as though he was in shock.
"You finally told him, didn't you?" Harri asked a smiling Ronnie.
Hermes came out of his trance to stare at Harri.
"You…You knew?" he sputtered.
"I was there when she found out," Harri replied.
"Found out what?" George asked curiously, him and Fred staring at the trio.
Hermes looked as though he wished to disappear. It was Rose, God bless her, who innocently revealed the information that Ronnie had said in the car, causing the twins to glare at Hermes.
"Oh, is that right?" Fred said.
"Do we need to have a chat with you, Granger?" George added.
"Quit it, you trolls," Ronnie said.
"Congratulations, Ronnie!" Angelina said, "We haven't had a baby in the family since Marnie was born."
It was nearly eleven o' clock. Ronnie and Hermes hugged Rose tightly and whispered words of confidence, Ronnie once again jokingly warning her daughter to end up in Gryffindor. James had run onto the train earlier to be with his friends. Harri and George said goodbye to Albus, who was still looking as anxious as he did in the morning.
"Mum," he whispered as Harri hugged him, "What if I am in Slytherin?"
"…Albus Severus Potter," Harri said quietly as she stared into his green eyes, Lily's eyes, knowing none but George could hear her, and he made sure that the other kids were too distracted to listen in, "You were named after two headmasters of Hogwarts. One was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew."
"But just say-"
"Then Slytherin House would have earned a brilliant student," Harri interrupted. She pressed a reassuring kiss against Albus' forehead, "But, if it really troubles you so much, the Sorting Hat takes your choice into account."
"Really?" Albus said skeptically.
"It did for me," Harri replied.
Soon the train was leaving, taking the students, new and old, to Hogwarts. Harri, George, Ronnie, Hermes, Fred, and Angelina all waved. The kids who were too young to go all cheered and waved off the older ones. Harri smiled when she saw that Albus' face in the window, excitement now replacing the anxiety.
"Hermes…" Ronnie said once the train was out of sight, "You are okay with this, right? I mean, I know we hadn't planned on this at all but…"
Hermes looked at Ronnie, whose face was filled with worry. To her relief, he smiled and kissed her tenderly.
"Ronnie, I'm beyond happy," Hermes answered, "I was just surprised, that's all. What do you think, Hugo? Ready to be a big brother?"
"Only if it's a boy," Hugo responded in a serious tone, causing Ronnie and Hermes to laugh.
"That's another group off," Fred said, "Ready to head back, everyone?"
"Yeah!" Fabian said excitedly, "We have to open the shop!"
"Two more years…" Roxanne said in a dreamy tone as she stared at where the train once was.
"Two years for me?" Marnie asked questioningly.
"No, you have to wait a little longer than that," Angelina said to her youngest.
Fred smiled at his family, the family he almost didn't have.
"Let's go home…"
Gideon and Lily were back to talking about Hogwarts, although Lily's eyes were a little bloodshot from crying about her older brothers' departure.
"I can't wait until that's me!" Lily said.
"I want to see the Giant Squid!" Gideon exclaimed.
The train was long gone, but Harri's hand was still raised in farewell. George walked beside her and placed on a hand on her waist.
"I'm going to complain about that whistle, it's murder on the ears," George said, putting a hand where his ear once was. He looked at Harri's face, "He'll be alright."
Harri looked up at George, leaning against him. She lowered her hand absentmindedly and placed it against the lighting scar on her forehead.
"I know he will," she said as Lily and Gideon ran up to their parents.
Her friends were alive. They had their own families. She had a family as well. The happiness and comfort she thought she would have to give up was here. The scar had not pained Harri for nineteen years.
All was well.
And, for the last time, we are done! Done with the chapter. Done with the story. I realize that, genetically, the different pairings shouldn't result in the same kids but I didn't want the epilogue to be unrecognizable by having all completely different kids. I just added a couple. I wish that I could have added Teddy in here, but I couldn't figure out how to add him into the chapter. So I just made it like the epilogue, where he's mentioned but not seen. I'll probably write something about him in the future. I did let Fred walk again, although he must use the cane for the rest of his life. But he can use his legs, something most Healers thought he wouldn't be able to do.
And now, for the notes on the kids!
James Sirius Potter: His age isn't mentioned, so I made him twelve. This may just be me, but I reread the epilogue and I thought that it was kind of implied that he was twelve. Don't ask me to explain this one. As you can see, he's like his father and Uncle Fred before him.
Albus Severus Potter: A mama's boy. I hope I made him sound a lot like Harri when she was eleven.
Lily Nellie Potter: Since we don't have a Luna, her middle name is Nellie's name. She's a bit of the tricky type. Personally, if any of the Potter kids end up in Slytherin, I get the feeling it would be her, at least in my world.
Gideon Cedric Potter: First name from one of Mrs. Weasley's brothers. The middle name is because the Harri in this world was closer to Cedric than the canon Harry was, so she did this as a tribute of sorts. He's an aspiring prankster like his dad, uncle and oldest brother. Yes, I gave him the green eyes too. They don't have to be unique to only Harri and Albus.
Rose Charity Granger: In the chapter about the troll incident, I showed that Charity Burbage had a bit more of a relationship with Hermes, so I get the feeling he'd give Rose that middle name.
Hugo Lonnie Granger: Since we don't get much of him in the book, I made him a lot like his mother, though hopefully he won't get her fear of spiders.
Ronnie is indeed pregnant. It's a bit of an age gap but nothing too bad. Heck, Bill and Ginny have an eleven year age gap…Then again, there are a few kids in between them. I plan on making a one shot in the future about this birth, so stay tuned!
Lorcan and Lysander Lovegood: The adorable twins. I see Lorcan as taking more after Ginny in terms of personality while Lysander is more like Lonnie. But they're both interested in their father's work.
Hannah Abbott: That's right! I worked a canon character into this story in a non-canon way! It can be done!
Scorpius Malfoy: I wasn't going to put Malfoy in here but I thought up the whole thing with the ferret and couldn't resist! I imagine that Scorpius is a lot more easygoing than his father. He's still rather proper but he's not so…Malfoyish, for lack of a real term.
Roxanne Weasley: She a lot like her mother personality wise, which is something when she has a father like Fred and a brother like Fabian.
Fabian Weasley: Named after Mrs. Weasley's other brother. He's a couple months older than Gideon. He and Gideon are extremely close, to the point that outsiders sometimes mistake them for brothers instead of cousins. Another aspiring prankster, like Gideon. They have minor physical differences, but the major one is the different eye colors.
Marnie Weasley: The youngest of the Weasley family, until Ronnie announced her pregnancy. She's really close to her father, to the point of being clingy.
Once more, thank you to everyone who stuck with this story until the end. I hope I will see you again in the future for any other stories I create. It has been fun and I think it was all well worth it.
Please read and review! Thank you for everything! See you again in the future!