Epilogue: Fifteen Years Later
Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly as the morning of the first of September was crisp and golden, the family bobbed across the rumbling road toward the great sooty station, the fumes of car exhausts and the breath of pedestrians twinkle like cobwebs in the cold hair. Five large cages rattle on top of the laden trolleys the three oldest and the parents were pushing; the owls inside them hooted indignantly. The seven wizards and witches approached the barrier, with first dad along with the three oldest going through the barrier, the next oldest goes next and side by side together, the second dad and the youngest pushing the trolley forward, gather speed. As they reach the barrier, the youngest winced, but no collision came, instead they emerged onto the platform, platform nine and three quarters, which was obscured by thick white steam that was pouring from the scarlet Hogwarts express, Harry and Blaise Zabini-Potter along with their five children made it. Dorea the oldest at seventeen entering her seventh and final year of Hogwarts as the head girl and quidditch captain for her house, the twins Rose and James who everyone calls JJ going into their fifth year, both prefects for their houses, Gryffindor and Slytherin respectively and both on the quidditch teams as seekers, going into his third year is Leon and is also in Slytherin and on the quidditch team as the chaser, and last is Orion, the baby of the family is finally starting his first year at Hogwarts. The two fathers hugs the kids, kissing them good-bye, "See you at Christmas.
"By Ori," said Harry as his son hugged him, "Don't forget Hagrid has invited you to tea next Friday, remember don't eat anything he gives you, he tends to make them. Don't mess with Peeves or he will prank you back. Don't duel anyone until you've learned how and don't let the older kids wind you up about anything. Ok."
"Daddy, what if no one likes me?" The whisper was for Harry alone, and he knew that only the moment of departure could have forced Orion to reveal how great and sincere that fear was. Harry crouched down so that Orion's face was slightly above his own. Alone of Harry's five children, alone of all of Harry's children, Orion looks like him the most.
"Honey, it doesn't matter, but you have your brothers and sisters along with your cousins who will look after you."
"But, what if I get into a house that someone doesn't like?"
"They don't matter then, and we don't care what house you go into but if you are scare and it matters to you, you'll be able to choose where you want to go. The Sorting Hat takes your choice into account."
"Really?"
"It did for me," replied Harry. He had never told any of his children that before, and he saw the wonder in Orion's face when he said it. But now the doors were slamming all along the scarlet train, and the blurred outlines of parents were swarming forward for final kisses, last-minute reminders. "Remember Orion, your papa and I love you very much." Orion jumped into the carriage and Blaise closed the door behind him. Students were hanging from the windows nearest to them waving to their parents. The train began to move, and Harry walked alongside it, watching his son's thin face, already burning with excitement. Harry kept smiling and waving, even though it was like a little bereavement, watching his son soar away from him…
The last trace of steam evaporated in the autumn air. The train rounded a corner. Harry's hand was still raised in farewell, "He'll be alright," murmured his husband of fifteen years Blaise. As Harry look at him, h lowered his hand absentmindedly and touched the lightning scar on his forehead. "I know he will." The scar had not pained Harry for fifteen years. All was well.
