Early April 2019
"God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness," the vicar intoned, having given Ron a lighted candle, "and has given us a place with the saints in light. You have received the light of Christ; walk in this light all the days of your life."
"Shine as a light in the world," the congregation responded, "to the glory of God the Father."
"Go in the light and peace of Christ."
"Thanks be to God."
Hermione smiled. With those words the simple service of Morning Worship incorporating the Baptism of Hope Pansy Weasley was coming to an end. The whole thing had gone magnificently. True, neither Pansy nor Harry had looked overly thrilled to promise to "turn away from sin", but neither had made any protest either. Both knew that Hermione was a devout, if decidedly Broad Church, Anglican. To have her third child baptised (and Harry was Godfather to Rose and Hugo, so knew what to expect) was of importance to her. As a Catholic, Florence Cassell was considerably more comfortable than either the pagan Pansy or the atheist Harry at making such promises. Ron also had done his usual top job of blending in well with the congregation, despite minimal belief in any deity or deities whatsoever.
"Blimey, love, your cousin does look remarkably like you," Ron remarked yet again. Indeed, the vicar leading the service did closely resemble her cousin Hermione. "She is almost as pretty as the most gorgeous woman in the world…"
"Your luck is in tonight, Ron! Yes, cousin Emma narrowly missed out on becoming the first female Bishop in the Church of England a few years back, and to a Reverend Granger, as it happens. The latter is no relation, as far as I know. Emma is from my mother's side of the family.
"Come on, Ron darling. There should be quite a spread in the Church Hall. My mother is in the local Mothers' Union."
"Thank you for asking me to be Hope's Godmother," Florence said, hugging Hermione tightly. "It is a great honour to be asked.
"Hopefully, your new job shall take you to Saint Marie at some point."
"There are hardly any mages on Saint Marie, Florence, with only a couple having House Elves. I shall visit in a private capacity on a more regular basis, I fancy!"
"As long as you and your family do visit, Hermione…"
"That was lovely, Rex," Louise noted. "You Anglicans have a certain way of combining Catholic liturgy with Protestant theology."
"Anglicans and Methodists do have a certain reluctance to go Fully Reformed, darling. I guess that we English naturally dislike Extremism. Possibly that is why the Cromwellian Commonwealth survived old Oliver by less than two years.
"Also, we do have a certain appreciation for timelessness. That is why we invented cricket."
"That seems eternal, mi amigo," Linda quipped.
A week later, The Burrow
"We will miss you," Molly sobbed, embracing Rose. "I know that you shall only be a portkey or a portal away, but still…"
"The United States isn't next door, Nan. Of course, you are sad. Don't worry though, as we shall see you often.
"I'm staying at Hogwarts during term times. As a British-born witch, I was given the option to stay, even though Mum and Dad are decamping to the States. Uncle Rex and Auntie Louise found them a house at Oak Falls, near the old Dana House. Hugo can easily take the portal to the Serafina Picquery Elementary School from there. He shall be joining me at Hogwarts from September anyway.
"Mum and Dad have their dream jobs and no longer have to put up with the odious oiks at the Ministry and on the Wizengamot. Sorry, I must have been spending too much time with Uncle Rex…"
"You are right, Rosie. Your Mum and Dad need a new start." Molly dried her eyes. "It is for the best. Hope springs eternal."
"You couldn't have chosen a better name for our youngest, dearest," Ron murmured, pulling his wife and baby daughter into his arms. "She really is a beacon of hope, despite the horrors of her conception and the machinations of Rita, Parkinson, Runcorn and the rest."
"I have never been gladder that Dad disowned me," Pansy echoed from nearby. "Pansy Parkinson was an arrogant entitled bully. As Pansy Potter, I am a wife, a mother and even a superheroine.
"Everyone, a toast! To family!"
"To family!"
Author's Comments
Firstly, the liturgy at the beginning of this epilogue is taken from Common Worship without permission.
Secondly, thank you to my fellow author Model Builder for his usual feedback and encouragement. It really did clarify my mind on writing a story with something of a pyrrhic victory at best for our heroes.
This wasn't an easy story to write, but I trust it proved to be a timely one. Weaponised social media is the stuff of headlines…
Thank you for reading.
