Many think me a naïve and simple boy, not old enough to understand many things. But I do see the changes in the faces of those around me. Every day I see the pleasure with which my Dad eats, although he still doesn't like chocolate or lemon drops. I see Hermione fold Daddy's shirts, smoothing them out with her hands. She has very soft hands, just like Mummy. Grandpa Albus said that Mummy would have been pleased that Hermione is now looking after Dad and me, and I believe him.

I see the way Daddy looks at Hermione and she at him. That is probably why they don't mind sleeping in the same bed, although it is so uncomfortable; you can't move your legs or toss and turn as you sleep – and what kind of sleep is that?!

Sometimes I watch them because it is interesting. And it is also interesting that they don't behave like Lily and Scorpius and James and Xenia. They never argue or burst out laughing. And they also never hide in a quiet corner of the house to hug or kiss.

Daddy often stares at the Moon. He did it before as well, I know. But now he looks at it with Hermione. And they both think about the same thing – Uncle Ron. And when all six children laugh upstairs, Daddy and Hermione start and smile sadly at one another.

I could tell them what Teddy knows but does not tell them. That Uncle Ron now lives in Bulgaria and that he has Sarah and her daughter. Teddy was thinking about it when he came over for dinner yesterday. He visited Sarah's family and learned that three weeks ago she and Uncle Ron took the little girl who also loves candy. They must like being together, just like we do.

I watch Daddy and Hermione, because I am afraid that Daddy will change again; that he will become like Uncle Severus or even gloomier. Or like Theo Snape, who came over yesterday. Although Theo is not like Uncle Severus either – otherwise, he would not have been able to go for walks with Rose or have tea with us. James does not like Theo, and Scorpius does not like Theo, but Daddy likes him. And I like him, because he is Uncle Severus' son. And Uncle Severus plays with my pictures so that he can see his son; and I let him, just like he let me hang tinsel around his neck on Christmas Eve.

Now I am also watching them, sitting on the roof and hugging my broomstick. Dirk is sitting next to me; Daddy let him play with me. We are eating candy and watching Daddy and Hermione stroll down the snowy path, holding hands. My brothers and sisters and Scorpius and Xenia who are visiting with us (Xenia is very kind and always gives me candy) are playing with snowballs. Malfoy is cheating; he launches snowballs at Rose using his wand. Still, it is interesting and fun.

"Al, come down here!" Lily waves at me, wiping the melted snow off her face. But I don't want to climb down, because then I will not be able to watch Daddy and Hermione. Besides, a furry-legged spider showed up next to the chimney and immediately set to work, merging pretty threads into a design. I like watching him; this spider seems very kind to me. And he has kind eyes, I know. He and I are almost friends already, so I like watching him weave his web.

"Albus, come over here!" Daddy waves at me from behind the gate. I am glad that he called me, but I don't want to go down there. Just now, James threw a snowball at Daddy, who merely waved his wand and the nearest snow-drift landed on Jim's head. I laugh and Dirk holds on to me, so I don't fall off. And the others laugh, as James crawls out of the snow and looks angrily at Daddy and Hermione.

And the two of them walk down the road, laughing merrily.

And I am watching the spider weave the web of someone's life.

To My Characters

I'm finishing the arduous path.

The papers vanish in the fire.

But will you finally let me rest,

My soul? Or other trials require

With someone's guilt, with someone's grief,

With love, with toil, in throes of strife?

Not I – a spider, by my leave,

Weaved up the net of their life…

I set them now to take flight,

As I cannot hold back a tear

Oh, Hero, keep safe the Light,

Which nearly drowned in despair.

The End.

Well, as difficult as it was for me to conceive over a year ago, this day has come, when I posted the last of the translation of the novel I fell so in love with several years ago. The labor of more than 3 years is over, and it seems that many of you enjoyed the results. Thank you so much for your reviews, questions, and encouragement - it really helped to keep me going through some tough times this past year . And most of all, thank you, Sphinx, for writing this novel in the first place. I hope more readers will discover it now in English. Best of everything to all of you!

Of course, I am still around, so if you have comments, suggestions, etc. please share. I will be making updates as necessary.

P.S. To answer several people who asked if there was a sequel and whether it would be translated: yes, there is and yes, possibly. I have begun to re-read it and plan bits of translation in my head, so I might begin to translate it soon and see whether it works for me.