"It's nice to be alone, without the kids bustling about." Hermione caught Ron's stare, his head placed calmly on her lap. She was commenting on the absence of Hugo, Rose, Albus, and James, who were all at Hogwarts, and little Lily who was with Ron's parents. "Don't get me wrong, I love Hugo and Rose beyond measure, it's just-"
Ron caught her hand, kissing it. Without even speaking, she saw in his eyes that he knew exactly what she meant.
"Ickle Ronny-kins getting a bit soft, eh?" Ginny teased her older brother, love encased in her face.
After Fred's death, she wasn't one to take advantage of the what may be short time left with her remaining brothers. Nonetheless, she was bound to throw a punch or two at Ron. After all, the sight of him curled in Hermione's lap like a child was too funny to pass up.
"Piss off, you're no better."
Ginny smiled, proud of the position she held atop Harry's lap, her face resting sweetly in his neck.
"You two..." Hermione grinned, twisting Ron's hair between her fingers. Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined the four of them together- Harry and Ginny married, with three amazing children, and her and Ron, the two unlikeliest to be together of all people, married with their own two beautiful offspring...
She passed a glance at Harry, who hadn't spoken in a while, a curious expression on his face.
"Harry?"
Eyes closed, Harry looked as if he had fallen asleep sitting up. His lips formed a half frown, half smile, twitching occasionally. His mind was gone, as it seemed to be doing a lot lately. Everything that happened nineteen years ago, it never seemed to exactly leave his thoughts. Snape's memory, Dumbledore's plan, Voldemort's downfall; something just wouldn't leave him alone. Add to that two weddings, Fred, Lupin, and Tonks' funerals, and the rebuilding of the wizarding world and Harry could be deemed mentally unstable.
But nothing seemed to bother him more than Snape and his undying love for his mother, Lily...
"Harry?" It was Ginny this time, now standing in front of him.
What if Snape had managed to capture Lily's heart, instead of James? What if Snape had later married Lily? Would he, Harry, have been born? Would Voldemort have still terrorized the muggle and wizarding worlds alike? Would-
"HARRY!" Ginny had caught him hard across the back of his head, knocking his glasses askew.
"Bloody hell, Ginny!" Ron grinned proudly at his sister.
"Oi, what was that for?" Harry moaned, rubbing his now tender head.
"You were scaring me, Potter." Ginny sat back down, now beside him. "What were you thinking?"
"Hm?"
"You were gone, Harry. Mesmerized." Ron was now sitting up next to Hermione, leaning slightly forward.
"Oh.. it was, er-" he paused, considering whether to tell them or not. Why should he hide it? Ginny was his wife, and Hermione and Ron his best friends... They'd been through everything together, and they were always such a help.
But maybe he should keep this to himself? No. He had kept it to himself for the past nineteen years. It was time to tell.
"-I was wondering if... what it would've... maybe-"
"Spit it out, mate," encouraged Ron from across the room.
Harry took a deep breath, clasping his hands.
"Would Fred and Lupin and everybody else that died.. would they still have been living if Snape had married my mother and I wasn't born?" Harry rushed it all out so quickly it took a moment to take full effect on the others.
"Harry!" Hermione and Ginny gasped.
"Blimey, Harry, don't say that." Ron had winced solemnly when Harry said Fred's name.
"I just.. I've been thinking about it, and-"
At that moment, they heard a loud snap and a bright flash of light followed, blinding them for a moment.
As soon as they heard the noise, the four had risen, wands erect, pointing at the intruder.
"State your name." Harry said boldly, standing protectively in front of the girls, Ron beside him.
"Please, lower your wands. I'm not here to harm or trouble you." The voice was soft, calming almost.
As the light faded and their eyes adjusted again, the group caught their breath.