Disclamer: I don't own Harry Potter, and the beautiful song is by Alter Bridge called Down To My Last.

A/N: Okay, I'm super sorry that this is such a late update! It's just that the words wouldn't flow naturally (I still don't really like the beginning part; I only like it when the song starts ). Also, what with the site crashing, I lost all my reviews, so I felt discouraged for a while. I just really hope you'll like this chapter... man, one more chapter after this, and it's the end. I feel sad, somehow... this is the only fiction I have that actually has more than one chapter. Nonetheless, it's time to let it go after a chapter after this...

The magnificent Hogwarts train held different meanings to every student and person. Some regarded it with awe, imagining the beginning adventure of their first year in Hogwarts, others viewed it as a start of a new year of laughter and homework, love and tears, and there were people who looked upon it with a dull feel of melancholy and joy, knowing that it would be their last year to ever ride the train as a proud student of Hogwarts ever again.

The station was bustling with activity and noise with the atmosphere charged with anticipation and restlessness. Families were talking to one another, friends introduced their parents to their mates, and little children were eying their older siblings in envy and wonder. It was an atmosphere so delightful and sweet that hundreds of Dementors would have flown away from the amount of happiness and love there was.

In the midst of the crowd, a large group of red heads could be spotted; if one didn't know better, they would say that they looked like a clan. And, according to George, that's what they were; a clan of Weasley's (minus one Potter). The whole Weasley families, along with his mum and dad, were in the station with their own family and children.

Tired of often calling, "Oi, Weasley family!" and having different brothers and kids chorus, "What?" in response, George announced to everyone at their weekly Burrow dinners about classifying everyone into groups. There was the "Lovegood-Weasley" consisting of Ron and Luna's family, "Delacour-Weasley" with Bill and Fleur's kids, "Hemperly-Weasley" which was Percy and Audrey and their children, Charlie and his family were "Carlson-Weasley", and finally there was "Granger-Weasley", his own pride and joy. The whole family rather found it amusing and agreed it was clever, despite the fact that none of their family chose to have their mother's maiden name stuck to "Weasley".

He and Hermione had three children: Fred and Greg, who were identical twins, were going to be in their seventh year today, Tyler was going to attend his fifth, and Rose was finally entering her first year in Hogwarts. An ending for two, a beginning for one, and a middle for another; a nice balance, in his opinion. He was content on how they had brought up their children. Yes, perhaps the twins often teased Tyler because he was in Ravenclaw, and maybe Tyler was indifferent to his only sister at times, but they were good at heart. The twins never hesitated to hex the next person who dared to insult Tyler, their friends, or anyone else, and Tyler constantly watched out for Rose and was often the first person who came to her aid whenever she was hurt or afraid.

No matter what anybody said, George felt incredibly blessed. Even if he did lose an ear, a handful of his friends, and not to mention his very own twin brother, he was grateful for the Heavens to give him Hermione and their family.

Hermione.

Merlin, whenever he looked at her, she still managed to take his breath away. Her thick hair was pulled up in a ponytail with tiny, invisible specks of silver. Right now, she was staring at him with those twinkling brown eyes, a smile tugging at her lips as if she knew what he was thinking. Hell, most likely she did know; over the years, she had gotten to know him even better, and as clichéd it might sound, it was like they understood what they were saying through their eyes.

He was falling in love with her every day, if that was even possible.

"Ew," Tyler said, rolling his eyes. George broke off his gaze from his wife, and glared at him. "Make googly eyes at each other when we're not here or something."

Everyone laughed good-humouredly. The twins spoke up, a mischievous glint in their eyes.

"'Googly'?" Repeated Fred, shaking his head in exaggerated sadness. "I expected you to use a better term for it, dear brother, seeing that you're in Ravenclaw and all."

"Perhaps the word 'ogle' at each other would be better," Greg suggested, clapping Tyler's shoulder cheerfully.

"Or maybe 'sending each other sexual looks'-,"

"Enough!" Hermione spoke, her hands on her hips though a reluctant smile played at her lips. Before they could say another word, the Hogwarts train suddenly hooted loudly, causing everybody to jump in surprise. Holding back her laughter from seeing Ron sprawled on the floor after falling over a suitcase, she started to usher their children in, and everybody followed her lead. With one last screech, the train came to life, slow gaining speed until it was chugging its way out into the countryside.

Sighing, Hermione turned to George, sighing heavily. "They're all grown up now," she sniffed, leaning against his body. He squeezed her shoulders reassuringly, his eyes still lingering on the spot where the train stood. As corny as it sounded, he silently agreed that the years passed by too quickly to count; it seemed like just yesterday when the twins were toddling around trying to eat anything they could grab.

"Sorry to disturb you guys, but we're leaving," Harry said, grinning at them knowingly. He gave Hermione a tight hug, clapped George on the back, and Apparated home with his wife. One by one, everyone started popping away. Grabbing his wife's hand, he Apparated them away to their house.

They both staggered until they regained their balance. Hermione stretched, planting a kiss on George's mouth before she went to the bathroom, cheerfully humming on the way. Chuckling, he went down to the basement which everyone called 'The Lair'. It was the place where most of the Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes products were being invented, fixed, or getting ready for stock. The children were forbidden to enter without their permission ever since Tyler had mistakenly eaten a Sneezing Fruit ('Make your teachers sneeze!') and hadn't stopped sneezing for a whole day.

Walking over to his working desk, he fixed the crooked frame that hung on the wall, his fingers lingering slightly over his family's happy faces. Fred and Greg were six, Tyler was four, and Rose wasn't born yet, a bump in Hermione's belly. Now his eldest children were in their last year, and going to graduate into the real world in less than a year.

The rattling of cups behind him made George turn around, and saw Hermione standing with two cups of tea. He placed them down on the desk and wrapped his arms around her slender waist, hugging her close to him as he buried his face into her ever-bushy hair. She sighed in contentment, her arms holding George's waist as well. He suddenly chuckled at a thought; she looked up to meet his eyes, bemused.

"You know, we've never been to a graduation at Hogwarts before," he said, grinning. It was true- Fred and he never got to graduate, and Hermione was on the run with Harry and Ron when she was supposed to be attending her last year at Hogwarts. She nodded in agreement, a wistful expression falling on her face.

"It's alright," she said softly after a moment of silence. She gave him a chaste kiss before continuing. "It'll be a first for all of us."

Autumn changed to winter, winter turned to spring, and finally spring transformed to summer. Groups of adults sat in white chairs, all holding mixed emotions that are heavy in their hearts; a few mothers are already teary, reminiscing the times when their child was a baby, a beautiful living baby that had only their parents to depend on. Now they were adults, ready to face whatever life had in store for them in stride.

Hermione and George sat in the front row, experiencing a graduation for the first time.

And to those to which we sing,
We are honored you let us in
I remember the thoughts of many things,
Of the glory that you bring

The crowd is hushed when the headmistress, Professor McGonagall, stood tall and confident behind the podium, spoke of the struggles everybody had to go through, of pranks and love, fights and reunions. She congratulated the year, wishing them the best of luck in a journey that is going to be different for each and every person. When she finished, a mad applause rings through the huge room, echoing.

I was never the right one to dare to dream,
It's funny what this life has done to me now
You were always the only,
To help me see there was a road I must find,
A road that was mine

Next, the Head Girl and Head Boy came up to the stage, each delivering a speech of their own. Their eyes sparkled with the memories and passion for their classmates, talking about how from teeny first years, everyone blossoming into women and men that are able to handle burdens and joy, knowing how to depend on their friends yet knowing how to be independent. Another round of clapping is heard as they announced the student representatives of each House to step up and speak on behalf of their house.

But I'm down to my last,
I'm standing here alone
Looking back, on it all
But I'm down to my last,
I'm ready but I'm wrong,
And I'm blind too

Much to their surprise, their own children, Fred and Greg, walked merrily on stage, each standing firmly behind a tall mike that suddenly appears in their hands. After much throat clearing on Fred's behalf, his blue eyes scanned the massive crowd until they landed on his watery eyed parents. He grinned, and finally started to talk after Greg blatantly poked him in the ribs, causing a rumble of laughter to erupt from the audience.

And to the world to which we sing,
Want to try to do us in
I remember your name and I know your face
Can't forgive and can't erase

"Through all these years, every student had felt the pressure and stress as our wonderful professors taught us thoroughly, shaping us for the unknown. We've cried, laughed, yelled, and broken a few bones, but we Gryffindors are proud to end our final year with a great note. Winning the House Cup and the Quidditch Cup, playing some really good pranks, even making the teachers feel like we weren't a lost cause… those are the memories that will be imprinted in our minds forever." Fred paused, and Greg filled in for him.

"The reason why we're still in one piece is because of our support from our families. Without their words of encouragement, we wouldn't have made past the first week of Hogwarts in our first year. Through hardships and tantrums, our parents are the ones who take it all in, accepting our faults and weaknesses as they pushed us to become who were are today. We all know that we love them and owe them everything, though we don't always voice them out sometimes." Greg smiled at all the parents. "That's why, after we get our diplomas, after this whole ceremony is over, not only the Gryffindor House, but the whole year, I'm sure, will rush over to you guys, give you a great big hug, and say 'I love you'."

Behind him, every head nodded in agreement. Today wasn't a day where everyone was differentiated because of their House, race, or gender; this was a day when every single body was unified in thoughts and feelings. It was a glorious day.

I was never the right one
To bear the weight of something fueled by words
I'd learn to hate
You were always the only
To help me see that to love is to shine
In your world, blind

"Now we're going to be selfish and thank our parents, because we know that the other reps of their respective Houses are going to do so as well," Fred said, and three students laughed, clearly not minding.

"I, Fred Weasley, stand here now because of these two people, my heroes, my role models... my parents. Without your help and guidance, Mom, I would've struggled to even graduate." He paused as the audience chuckled softly, and he shot a grin at a tearful Hermione. "Without your crazy ideas and jokes, Dad, I wouldn't have been the most cheerful kid alive. Both of you have been the most inspirational parents, and one day, I will repay back the times of joy and love you have given me, to show you how grateful I am to be one of your children. I love you guys." With his red hair high in the hair with pride, he walked off the podium, high fiving his mates.

Greg rolled his eyes, and opened his mouth. "I, Gregory Weasley, would've made a brilliant speech, but my oh-so-charming brother has stolen it from me." He casted a woeful look at his audience. "However, one thing I must say is, I love you, Mom and Dad. Thanks- for everything." Conjuring two flowers, he made them fall onto his parents' laps.

But I'm down to my last
I'm standing here alone
Looking back on it all
But I'm down to my last
I'm ready but I'm wrong
And I'm right too

George watched Greg take his position as well, getting a huge round of applause. The next three representatives said their speech, each having the same context but sounding so different from one another that it was like a new story every time. Finally, Professor McGonagall took the stage once more, and started announcing each student's names. He heard multiple sobs and sniffs coming from every parent, and when the twin's names were called, he couldn't help but choke back some proud tears. Hermione's own tears were cascading down quickly, creating a small puddle on her skirt. He patted her shoulder in condolence.

But I'm down to my last
Well I'm ready but I'm wrong,
And I'm scared of it all

It was noticeable that every person in the room was holding their breaths when the Headmistress called out loudly, announcing the ending of the ceremony. "I give you, the class of 2017!"

The grand ceiling shook from the roar of cheers and shouts as the newly-graduates pulled off their hats and threw it in the air, yelling back, "The class of 2017!" Like a stampede, the students stormed down the stage and rushed to their parents, screaming themselves hoarse as they told them that they loved them or crying in their arms in both joy and sadness, for now they were going to go down to a road of their own, where their family would still be there, but not a big portion of it. Old friends hugged each other fiercely, promising letters and arranging meetings, not knowing whether they would be separated forever or meet again. It was hard for anyone to imagine a life without their permanent anchors of friends and family.

But I'm down to my last
I'm ready but I'm wrong
And I'm blind too
But I'm down to my last
And I'm ready but I'm wrong
And I'm blind too

"It's the end," Hermione whispered, her tears still flowing. "It's really the end." George pulled her up from her seat and gave her a small kiss on her temple. He caught the sight of their children, and waved them over enthusiastically.

"No, Hermione," he replied, squeezing her hand before he let go, raising his arms to hug his sons who now broke into a full run, eager to reach their family. "It's only just begun."